CASA C-101

Infobox Aircraft
name= C-101


caption= Royal Jordanian Air Force C-101CC-04
type= Jet trainer and light attack aircraft
natioanl origin = Spain
manufacturers= CASA
designer=
first flight= 29 June avyear|1977
introduced=
retired=
status=
primary user= Spanish Air Force
more users= Chilean Air Force
Honduran Air Force
Jordanian Air Force
produced=
number built=
unit cost=
developed from =
variants with their own articles =

The CASA C-101 Aviojet is a jet-powered trainer and light attack aircraft currently in use by several air forces. In Spanish Air Force service, it is also flown by the "Patrulla Aguila" aerobatics team.

Design and 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 Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) and Northrop, the latter designing the wings. [cite book |last= Frawley|first= Gerard|title=The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002-2003 |year=2002 |publisher=Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd |location= Fyshwick, ACT, Australia |isbn=1-875671-55-2 |pages=58 ] A design along largely conventional lines was the result, 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, and enjoys a great range since its initial requirement called for autodeployment to the Canary Islands from the Spanish mainland.

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 Halcon.

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 failed to attract any orders.

Operators

[
Honduran Air Force.]

;CHI
* Chilean Air Force;HON
* Honduran Air Force;JOR
* Jordanian Air Force;ESP
* Spanish Air Force

pecifications (CASA C-101EB)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?= plane
jet or prop?= jet
ref={name of first source}
crew= Two (student and instructor)
capacity=
length main= 12.25 m
length alt= 40 ft 2 in
span main= 10.60 m
span alt= 34 ft 9 in
height main= 4.25 m
height alt= 13 ft 11 in
area main= 20.0 m²
area alt= 215 ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 3,800 kg
empty weight alt= 8,380 lb
loaded weight main= 5,000 kg
loaded weight alt= 11,000 lb
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main= 5,600 kg
max takeoff weight alt= 12,300 lb
more general=
engine (jet)= Garrett TFE731-2-2J
type of jet= turbofan engine
number of jets=1
thrust main= 15.8 kN
thrust alt= 3,550 lbf
thrust original=
afterburning thrust main=
afterburning thrust alt=

max speed main= 770 km/h
max speed alt= 417 knots, 480 mph
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
range main= 4000 km
range alt= 2160 nm, 2485 mi
ceiling main= 12,500 m
ceiling alt= 41,000 ft
climb rate main= 1,490 m/min
climb rate alt= 4,900 ft/min
loading main= 250 kg/m²
loading alt= 52 lb/ft²
thrust/weight= 1:3.2 (3.16 N/kg)
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=
* Maximum G: +7.5 -3.9
armament=
* 1 × 30 mm DEFA cannon or 2 × 12.7 mm (.50 cal) M3 machine guns
* 6 × underwing pylons, up to 2,220 kg (4,890 lb) disposable stores
avionics=

ee also

aircontent
related=

similar aircraft=
* Aermacchi MB-339
* Aero L-39
* BAE Hawk
* Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet
* Soko G-4 Super Galeb

lists=
* List of fighter aircraft

see also=

References

External links

* [http://www.eads.net/1024/en/businet/defence/mas/training_aircraft/c-101_aviojet/c-101_aviojet.html EADS CASA Manufacturer specification]
* [http://www.ejercitodelaire.mde.es/WebEA/static/ServContenidos?id=BF8D29F9A4D4D6CCC12570D700463A42&plantilla=generica Spanish Air Force specifications] (Spanish)
* [http://www.aviationcorner.net/show_photo.asp?id=73298 Aviojet, Zaragoza 31/05/2008]