Aircraft
Taiwan Flies Indigenous Advanced Trainer
The AT-5 is a derivative of the F-CK-1 Ching-kuo and will replace aging AT-3s and F-5s in the Republic of China Air Force.
The first AT-5 Brave Eagle takes to the air for the first time at Ching Chuan Kang air base, ahead of a formal start to flight trials scheduled for June 22. (Photo: Taiwan Ministry of National Defense)
The first AT-5 Brave Eagle takes to the air for the first time at Ching Chuan Kang air base, ahead of a formal start to flight trials scheduled for June 22. (Photo: Taiwan Ministry of National Defense)

The first example of the Taiwanese AT-5 advanced jet trainer (AJT) has flown for the first time. The maiden flight of the first of two flying prototypes, “A1”, took place on June 10 at Ching Chuan Kang air base, the Ministry of National Defense announced. Built by the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), the AT-5 prototype flew for around 20 minutes, with its undercarriage extended throughout the flight. It was escorted by two examples of the two-seat F-CK-1D fighter upon which the AT-5 is based.