Focus Taiwan
Date: 06/22/2020
By: Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh

Taichung, June 22 (CNA) Taiwan's first indigenous advanced jet trainer (AJT), codenamed Brave Eagle, is a brand-new design not an upgraded version of the decades-old Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF), two test flight pilots told media Monday after completing the trainer's inaugural public flight in Taichung earlier in the day.

Although the jet looks similar to the IDF, which has been used by Taiwan's Air Force since 1992, 80 percent of the AJT's components are newly designed, including its exterior and pneumatics, said pilot Lu Chih-yuan (路志元).

Echoing Lu's view, co-pilot Kuan Yen-nien (管延年) said the cockpit design of the AJT is also different from that of the IDF.

The cockpit of the two-seat AJT is similar to that of the F-16 fighter, which has an aft-seat 4K ultra HD HUD monitor, providing the back-seat co-pilot with a clear view of the front, according to Kuan.    [FULL  STORY]