JASDF still struggling to generate enough serviceable T-4s

An engine issue that emerged last year on the Kawaski T-4 jet trainer has yet to be fully rectified, leaving the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) with insufficient numbers of training aircraft.

航空自衛隊 / GJSTUv1

This has forced the Blue Impulse aerobatic team to fly only 4-ship formations as the other serviceable aircraft had to be made available for training of pilots.

The root cause was a baffle on the Ishikawajima-Harima F3-IHI-30 turbofan engine needs to be replaced. A T-4 from Misawa was forced to shutdown an engine in-flight last year after severe vibrations occurred. Investigators determined that the baffle needs to be switched out but the process of replacing 200 engines in service takes a long time.

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