CASA C-101 Aviojet

File:CASA C-101 Aviojet Spanish Air Force Patrulla Aguila (19945001451).jpg acrobatic team flying the C-101]]

File:HAF C-101 Aviojet.JPEG

File:CASA C-101CC Aviojet - Jordanian Air Force.jpg

File:Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA C-101EB Aviojet.jpg

File:CASA C-101EB Aviojet, Spain - Air Force AN1584619.jpg

The C-101 was designed in response to a Spanish Air Force requirement issued in 1975, calling for a new jet trainer to replace its aging fleet of Hispano HA-200s and Ha.220s. Akin to the majority of contemporary European jet trainers, it was also to have a limited attack capability. During 1972, Hispano had been absorbed by Spanish aircraft company Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA), who took an interest in the trainer requirement. During October 1975, CASA was awarded a development contract based upon their submission, requiring a pair of static airframes and four flight-capable prototypes to be built for testing purposes at a cost of 1,297 million pesetas ($22 million).[https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1975/1975%20-%202194.html "Casa C-101 go-ahead."] Flight International, 16 October 1975. p. 560.

To develop the aircraft, CASA sought technical assistance from abroad. Both the German manufacturing conglomerate Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) and American defense company Northrop opted to participate in the venture; specifically, engineers at MBB worked on the design of the rear fuselage and tail section while Northrop's team were responsible for the design of the aircraft's wings and engine inlets.Frawley 2002, p. 58.Fredriksen 2001, p. 71. Out of these efforts, a relatively conventional design was developed; according to aviation author John C. Fredriksen, the principles of simplicity and economy were highly emphasised by the design, shunning high performance features.

In terms of its basic configuration, the C-101 is a low-mounted monoplane, with unswept wings. The cockpit, which was relatively spacious amongst its peers, accommodated a crew of two in a tandem seating; the seats were staggered to provide the instructor in the rear position with greater visibility. The fuselage provided considerable internal space, permitting the installation of various additional aviation or supplemental systems as to suit future requirements or other secondary roles. Foreseen secondary roles included ground attack, armed escort, photographic reconnaissance, and as an electronic countermeasures (ECM) platform.[https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1976/1976%20-%201870.html "Garrett's TFE731 turbofan."] Flight International, 4 September 1976.

The only unconventional feature of the aircraft was the presence of a large internal weapons bay located beneath the rear cockpit; this allowed for a wider variety of armament to be carried than the underwing hard points could accommodate; alternatively, this bay enabled the carriage of other equipment, including reconnaissance payloads. In addition to the weapons bay, both armaments and stores could be fitted upon six underwing hard points. The design was produced in a modular fashion, which eases both manufacture and maintenance activities. It was provisioned with a considerable endurance range as a result of the initial requirement having called for a self-deployment capability to the Canary Islands from the Spanish mainland.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

The powerplant selected for the aircraft was the Honeywell TFE731-5-1J turbofan engine. This unit was actually a commercial engine that had been re-developed for military use. Even from an early stage of development, the TFE731 was viewed as a front runner for the aircraft. According to Fredriksen, it provided relatively favourable performance and a high level of fuel economy amongst its peers. Overall, the aircraft provided mainly favourable characteristics while remaining an affordable trainer in comparison to international competition.

Although the first flight took place on 27 June 1977, the test flight phase, which included vibration, flutter and spin tests, did not commence until 17 April 1978.Thomas 2008, pp. 130–132. The prototype was flown in the Farnborough International Airshow during late July 1978. Performance was reportedly found to be better than anticipated by the designers.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}} An initial order for 88 aircraft was placed by the Spanish Air Force; built as a dedicated trainer version, designated as C-101EB-01 by CASA and E.25 Mirlo ("Blackbird") by the air force. On 17 March 1980, the first aircraft entered service with the Spanish Air Force.

Shortly after this dedicated trainer model was introduced, the aircraft was followed in production by a combination attack/trainer variant. Equipped with an uprated engine, this variant was designated C-101BB-02. It was bought by numerous export customers, including Honduras, which bought four, and Chile, which bought four aircraft and parts for another eight to be assembled locally by ENAER. The Chilean BB-02s are designated T-36 Halcón.Tobar, Alfonso and Graham Warwick. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/looking-forward-50193/ "Looking forward."] Flight International, 14 April 1999.Hoyle, Craig. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-chile-receives-first-four-super-tucanos-336775/ "PICTURES: Chile receives first four Super Tucanos."] Flight International, 5 January 2010.

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 featured yet another engine upgrade and increased fuel capacity; it has been designated A-36 Halcón ("Falcon").[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/military-aircraft-directory-casa-40223/ "Military Aircraft Directory: CASA."] Flight International, 29 July 1998.

Sixteen similar aircraft, the C-101CC-04 were sold to Jordan.Hewson 2001, p. 36. During 2018, the last of these aircraft were phased out by the Royal Jordanian Air Force.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

The final version of the C-101 to be developed, designated C-101DD, was first demonstrated by CASA during 1985. This model featured vastly improved avionics and featured systems such as a head-up display, HOTAS-cockpit, AN/ALR-66 radar warning receiver, chaff and flare countermeasures, as well as the capability to carry the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile; however, as of 2000 it had not attracted any orders.{{Cite book |last=Bättig |first=Thomas |title=Moderne Kampfflugzeuge. Bewaffnung, Einsatz, Erkennungsmerkmale |publisher=E.S. Mittler & Sohn |year=2000 |isbn=9783813207170 |location=Hamburg; Berlin; Bonn |pages=46 |language=de}}

Between 1990 and 1992, all Spanish Air Force C-101s received an extensive upgrade package which mainly focused on the aircraft's navigation and armament systems.

;{{Flag|Chile}}

• Chilean Air Force (35 -12 C-101BB and 23 C-101CC). Around 20 C-101CC still in service as A-36.

;{{Flag|Honduras}}

• Honduran Air Force (4 C-101BB)

;{{Flag|Jordan}}

• Royal Jordanian Air Force (16 C-101CC) – {{cnspan|retired 2018.|date=September 2019}}

;{{Flag|Spain}}

• Spanish Air and Space Force (88 C-101EB)

{{Aircraft specs

|ref= Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1989–90 Taylor 1989, pp. 218–219.

|prime units?= met

|crew= 2

|length m= 12.5

|length note=

|span m= 10.6

|span note=

|height m= 4.25

|height note=

|wing area sqm= 20

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio= 5.6

|airfoil= Norcasa 15 (15%){{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}

|empty weight kg=

|empty weight note=

|gross weight kg=

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight kg=

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number= 1

|eng1 name= Honeywell TFE731-5-1J

|eng1 type= turbofan engine

|eng1 kw=

|eng1 hp=

|eng1 shp=

|eng1 kn= 19.13

|eng1 lbf=

|eng1 note=

• Military Power Reserve (MPR): {{cvt|20.91|kN|lbf}}

|max speed kmh= 769

|max speed note=at {{cvt|4500|kg|0}} at sea level

::::{{cvt|806|km/h|mph kn}} at {{cvt|6100|m}}

::::{{cvt|834|km/h|mph kn}} at {{cvt|4575|m|-2}} at MPR

|max speed mach=

|cruise speed kmh= 656

|cruise speed note= / M0.6 at {{cvt|9145|m|-2}}

• Unstick speed: {{cvt|213|km/h|mph kn}}
• Touchdown speed: {{cvt|176|km/h|mph kn}}

|stall speed kmh= 183

|stall speed note= flaps up

::::{{cvt|164|km/h|mph kn}} flaps down

|never exceed speed kmh= 834

|never exceed speed note= / M0.8 at {{cvt|4500|kg|0}}

|range km=

|range note=

|combat range km= 519

|combat range note= typical lo-lo-lo interdiction, with 4x {{cvt|250|kg|0}} bombs and 1x {{cvt|30|mm|3}} cannon

::::Typical CAS lo-lo-lo {{cvt|370|km}} with 4x rocket launchers and 1x {{cvt|30|mm|3}} cannon

::::Typical CAS lo-lo-lo {{cvt|315|km}} with 4x rocket launchers plus 2x {{cvt|125|kg|0}} bombs and 1x {{cvt|30|mm|3}} cannon

::::Typical CAS lo-lo-lo {{cvt|602|km}} with 2x AGM-65 Maverick and 1x {{cvt|30|mm|3}} cannon

::::Typical ECM {{cvt|611|km|0}}

::::Typical Phot/recce {{cvt|964|km}}

|ferry range km= 2000

|ferry range note= with 30 minutes reserve

|endurance= typical armed patrol – 3 hours 30 minutes

::::typical training mission 1 hour 10 minutes

::::maximum endurance 7 hours

|ceiling m= 12800

|ceiling note=

|g limits=+7.5 -3.9 at {{cvt|4500|kg|0}}

::::+5.5 -1 at {{cvt|6300|kg|0}}

|roll rate=

|climb rate ms= 24.9

|climb rate note=(normal)

::::{{cvt|101.67|m|0}} (MPR)

|time to altitude=

|wing loading kg/m2=

|wing loading note=

|fuel consumption kg/km=

|thrust/weight= 0.322

|more performance=

• Take-off run: {{cvt|560|m}}
• Landing run from {{cvt|15|m|0}}: {{cvt|800|m}}

|guns=

:* 1x {{cvt|30|mm|3}} DEFA cannon

:or

:* 2x {{cvt|12.7|mm|3}} M3 machine guns in detachable pods underneath the forward fuselage

|bombs=

:* Up to {{cvt|2220|kg|0}} disposable stores on 6 underwing pylons

|missiles=

:* 2 – Rafael Shafrir (A-36 "Toqui") air-to-air missiles

|avionics=

}}

{{Portal|Spain|Aviation}}

{{aircontent

|related=

|similar aircraft=

• Aero L-39 Albatros
• Aermacchi MB-339
• AIDC AT-3
• BAE Systems Hawk
• Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet
• FMA IA-63 Pampa
• HESA Yasin
• Hongdu JL-8
• IAR 99
• Kawasaki T-4
• Soko G-4 Super Galeb

|lists=

• List of fighter aircraft

|see also=

}}

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{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}}
• Fredriksen, John C. International Warbirds: An Illustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914-2000. ABC-CLIO, 2001. {{ISBN|1-57607-364-5}}.
• Hewson, Robert. "The Vital Guide to Military Aircraft." Airlife, 2001. {{ISBN|1-84037-065-3}}.
• {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Robert |title=Aircraft from 1914 to the present day |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-907446-02-3}}
• {{cite book |last=Taylor |first=John W. R. |author-link= John W. R. Taylor |year=1982 |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83 |location=London |publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |isbn= 0-7106-0748-2}}
• {{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1989–90 |year=1989 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=London |isbn=978-0710608963 |editor1-last=Taylor |editor1-first=John W.R. |edition=80th}}
• {{cite book |last= Thomas |first= Cynda |title=Hell of A Ride, 2008 |year=2008 |publisher =IUniverse |isbn=978-0-5955-2878-3}}

{{refend}}

{{Commons category|CASA C-101 Aviojet}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080905211736/http://eads.net/1024/en/businet/defence/mas/training_aircraft/c-101_aviojet/c-101_aviojet.html EADS CASA Manufacturer specification]{{failed verification|date=October 2016}}
• [http://www.ejercitodelaire.mde.es/WebEA/static/ServContenidos?id=BF8D29F9A4D4D6CCC12570D700463A42&plantilla=generica Spanish Air Force specifications]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (Spanish)
• [http://www.aviationcorner.net/show_photo.asp?id=73298 Aviojet, Zaragoza 31/05/2008]

{{CASA aircraft}}

{{Maestranza Central de Aviación aircraft}}

{{Spanish trainer aircraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Casa C-101}}

Category:1980s Spanish attack aircraft

Category:1970s Spanish military trainer aircraft

Category:CASA aircraft

Category:ENAER aircraft

Category:Single-engined jet aircraft

Category:Low-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1977

Category:Chile–Spain relations

Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear