Fuji T-5

The Fuji T‑5, also known as the Fuji KM‑2B, is a Japanese primary‑training aircraft developed by Fuji Heavy Industries—now part of Subaru Corporation—during the early 1980s. Responding to the Japan Air Self‑Defense Force’s need for a modern, low‑maintenance trainer to replace the aging T‑3 fleet, Fuji leveraged its experience in light aircraft design, originally honed on the successful Fuji LM‑1 and the KM‑2 series. First flown in 1984, the T‑5 entered service in 1985 and quickly became the standard basic trainer for both the JASDF and the Japanese Maritime Self‑Defense Force, with a production run of over 300 units.

Key features include a all‑metal low‑wing airframe, a retractable tricycle landing gear, and a reliable Lycoming TIO‑540‑J2A turbo‑charged six‑cylinder engine delivering 260 hp. The cockpit is equipped with dual flight controls, a glass panel for navigation and engine monitoring, and provisions for basic instrument‑flight training. Its benign stall characteristics, responsive handling, and low operating costs make it ideal for novice pilots.

The Fuji T‑5’s significance lies in its role as the backbone of Japan’s pilot‑training pipeline for more than three decades, contributing to the nation’s high safety record and influencing subsequent trainer designs across Asia.

Subaru Corporation

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Design & Classification