T-7

The Subaru T‑7 is a twin‑engine, low‑wing trainer aircraft introduced in 1978 by Subaru Corporation, the diversified manufacturing arm that evolved from Fuji Heavy Industries. Developed in response to the Japanese Air Self‑Defense Force’s need for a cost‑effective primary trainer, the T‑7 combined a rugged aluminum‑alloy airframe with emerging composite materials, a 550‑shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A‑35 turboprop, and a fully digital glass cockpit. Its side‑by‑side seating, tricycle landing gear, and forgiving stall characteristics made it ideal for beginner pilots, while its optional tactical‑training package—including simulated weapons delivery and radar‑spoofing modules—allowed a seamless transition to advanced jet trainers. Production ran from 1979 to 1992, with 184 units delivered to Japan, the Philippines, and several civilian flight schools. The T‑7’s emphasis on low operating costs, ease of maintenance, and modular avionics set new standards for secondary training platforms in the Asia‑Pacific region, influencing later designs such as the Kawasaki T‑18 and the modern T‑7 Red Hawk program. Today, the aircraft remains a popular vintage trainer in private collections and flight‑training museums. Its reliability and straightforward handling have made it a favorite for aerobatic demonstration teams and for pilot refresher courses worldwide.

Subaru Corporation

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification