C-101CC-04, picture from EADS

The CASA C-101 Aviojet is a Spanish jet-powered trainer aircraft currently in use by the air forces of Spain, Chile, Honduras, and Jordan. In Spanish Air Force service, it is also flown by the Patrulla Aguila aerobatics team.

Development

The aircraft was designed in response to a Spanish Air Force requirement in 1975 for a jet trainer to replace its aging fleet of Hispano Ha.200s and Ha.220s. Like many European jet trainers, it was also to have a limited attack capability. CASA sought technical assistance from MBB and Northrop and produced a design along largely conventional lines, the only surprising feature being a large internal weapons bay beneath the rear cockpit, allowing for a wider variety of armament to be carried than the underwing pylons alone would allow. Alternatively, this bay can be used to carry reconnaissance equipment. The aircraft is designed in a modular fashion to ease manufacturing and maintenance.

Although the first flight took place on June 29, 1977, test flights did not begin until April 17, 1978. Performance was found to be better than anticipated by the designers. An initial Spanish Air Force order for 60 machines was placed, a dedicated trainer version designated C-101EB-01 by CASA and E.25 Mirlo ("Blackbird") by the air force. The first aircraft entered service on March 17, 1980.

This was followed in production by a combination attack/trainer with an uprated engine designated C-101BB-02 for Chile, which bought four aircraft and parts for another eight to be assembled locally by ENAER. All Chilean BB-02s are designated T-36.

The C-101BB-03 is an almost identical version manufactured for Honduras.

In 1983, CASA flew a dedicated attack version, the C-101CC-02, which was again ordered by Chile. This time, only the prototype was built in Spain, with the remaining 22 machines built by ENAER. This variant features yet another engine upgrade and increased fuel capacity and is designated A-36 Halcon ("Falcon").

Sixteen similar aircraft, the C-101CC-04 were sold to Jordan.

The final version of the C-101, the C-101DD was demonstrated by CASA in 1985, featuring vastly improved avionics and the capability to carry the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile, but this failed to attract any orders.

Specifications (CASA C-101EB)

General Characteristics

• Crew: Two - student and instructor
• Length: 12.25 m (40.19 ft)
• Wingspan: 10.60 m (34.78 ft)
• Height: 4.25 m (13.94 ft)
• Wing area: 20.00 m² (215.29 ft²)
• Empty: 3,800 kg (8,378 lb)
• Loaded: 5,000 kg (11,023 lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 5,600 kg (12,346 lb)
• Powerplant: 1x Garrett TFE731-2-2J, 15.8 kN (3,552 lbf) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed: 770 km/h (478 mph)
• Combat Radius: 519 km (322 miles)
• Service ceiling: 12,495 m (41,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 1,494 m/min (4,900 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 250 kg/m² (52 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/Weight: 1:3.2

Armament

• 1x 30 mm DEFA cannon, or 2x 12.7 mm (0.5 in) M3 machine-guns
• 6 underwing pylons, up to 2,220 kg (4,960 lb) disposable stores

References

• EADS CASA Manufacturer specification (http://www.eads.net/frame/lang/en/1024/xml/content/OF00000000400004/5/10/515105.html)
• Spanish Air Force Specification (http://www.ejercitodelaire.mde.es/(G)Publicaciones/Paginas_Web_Internet/InetFiUdWeb.nsf/0/a55c0c53589b20b9c1256c37004d6b4e?OpenDocument)

Related Content

Comparable Aircraft: Aermacchi MB-339 - Aero L-39 - BAe Hawk - Dassault Dornier Alpha Jet

Designation Sequence: CASA 201 - CASA 202 - CASA 203 - CASA C-101 - CASA C.212