Aircraft
Taiwan Unveils New Advanced Trainer
The AT-5 Yung Yin (Brave Eagle) is a modern derivative of the two-seat version of the F-CK-1 light fighter, but with simplified systems and reduced power
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen sits in the cockpit of the first XAT-5 prototype during the unveiling ceremony. (photo: AIDC)
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen sits in the cockpit of the first XAT-5 prototype during the unveiling ceremony. (photo: AIDC)

Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), the state-owned aerospace company overseen by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, has rolled out the first XAT-5 prototype of its new AT-5 Yung Yin (Brave Eagle) Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT). The ceremony took place on September 24, attended by President Tsai Ing-wen. Formerly known as the Blue Magpie, the AT-5 was re-named following a public competition.

The AJT program is intended to provide a replacement for the Republic of China Air Force’s (RoCAF) fleet of Northrop F-5 advanced trainers and indigenous AIDC AT-3 basic trainers, which are scheduled for retirement in the early 2020s.