Fairchild-Republic T-46 Eaglet
(United States)
Notes: In 1982, the USAF awarded Fairchild-Republic with a contract for a new basic jet trainer to replace T-37’s in service. The order was for 650 planes, spread out over a nine-year production run. Fairchild also hoped to sell a few hundred overseas, and planned on marketing a dedicated COIN version as well.
The plane featured side-by-side seating, and was a sound, conventional design. The first three pre-production planes were delivered to Edwards AFB on 15 October 1985, however the USAF cancelled the entire programme (due to budget cuts and the generally good state of the T-37 fleet) a few weeks later. The cancellation was fatal for the old Republic Aircraft factory in New York, which went bankrupt a few months later.
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Max speed: |
368kts |
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Ceiling: |
46,500’ |
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Range: |
1100NM |
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Powerplant: |
x2 Garret F109-GA-100 jets |
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Crew: |
2 (pilot, trainee) |
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Armament: |
The production models were to have several underwing hardpoints. The planned COIN version was also to have an integral gun. |