Taiwan completes production of T-5 Brave Eagle aircraft — Taipei Times
Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC) has completed production of T-5 Brave Eagle jet trainers for advanced pilot training. The final aircraft is scheduled to be officially delivered during a ceremony on Thursday, which is set to conclude the program launched in 2017.
As Taipei Times reports, the first Brave Eagle prototypes were completed in 2019. As of May, 56 of the 66 aircraft had been delivered. AIDC and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology were responsible for development and production.
Replacing previous training aircraft
The Brave Eagle has taken over the role of advanced training aircraft in Taiwan’s Air Force, a military source said. At the end of July, AT-3 aircraft, which had been in service for more than 40 years, were retired. F-5E/F aircraft also stopped being used for operational training.
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The three-stage pilot training system was reduced from three aircraft types to two. The first cadets to transition directly from the basic T-34C to the Brave Eagle, bypassing the intermediate stage, completed their solo-flight tests and began service.
Deployment and capabilities
Brave Eagle aircraft are primarily stationed at the Flight Training Command at Gangshan Air Base in Kaohsiung and at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung County. According to military sources, logistical support and the aircraft’s technical serviceability remain stable.
The Thunder Tigers aerobatic team has also transitioned to the Brave Eagle. AIDC modified several aircraft with colored smoke generation systems for formation aerobatic displays during state celebrations and Air Force open days. The aircraft’s design provides space for armaments, and the Air Force plans to use air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons on it, which could allow it to be used as a light attack aircraft in wartime.
