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Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 12/96 AT-2000: DASA STUDIES A NEW TRAINER by Karl Schwarz Dasa is currently marketing its AT-2000 project, which is to be realized with international partners, as "the most advanced tactical trainer for the next century". According to Dasa, existing advanced trainers will fall two to three aircraft generations behind the new fighters just entering service by the middle of the next decade. While update programs are supposedly only partially effective and also expensive, AT-2000 was from the beginning designed around the most modern technology and optimized for extremely low operating costs. A glass cockpit and a fly-by-wire flight control system are to facilitate the transition from the trainer to the fighter. Depending on the equipment, AT-2000 could also be used for routine training in the units. The design of the trainer looks similar to the Lockheed Martin F-22. The 7700 kg aircraft, which is partially manufactured of composite materials, is powered by a Eurojet EJ200 known from the Eurofighter. This engine gives the trainer a thrust to weight ratio of 1:1 which is close to the performance of modern fighters. As just recently revealed at the Seoul Airshow, AT-2000 could be taking off for its first flight in the year 2000. Along with Denel Aviation (South Africa), Dasa is also looking for possible partners in South Korea. The development costs are estimated at DM 1,9 billion and the price per aircraft is supposed to be around DM 22 million. From page 54 of FLUG REVUE 12/96 Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 12/96 Copyright 1996 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated November 19, 1996