Karakoram-8 (K-8), Basic Cum Advance Jet Trainer, is co-developed by Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF), Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra and China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company (CNMC). The aircraft is being used for imparting basic and operational jet training to newly inducted pilots at PAF Academy Risalpur, however, owing to its ability of carrying armament stores on its four hard points and one belly gun pod, the aircraft also has a certain operational capability, therefore, is also used for flying conversion of newly graduated pilots from PAF Academy at Flying Conversion Unit (FCU) of Pakistan Air Force. Its key features are:
- Wide speed range and high maneuverability
- Satisfactory flying qualities in accordance with the requirements set forth in MIL-F-8785C IV for highly maneuverable aircraft
- Good field of view and cockpit arrangement very close to a combat aircraft
- Advanced turbofan engine with low specific fuel consumption and minimum operation and maintenance cost
- State of the art equipment (including instrumentation, communication, navigation, etc.) satisfying the requirements of training pilots for the future
- Highly reliable escape system
- Advanced strap on environmental control system capable of providing cockpit air- conditioning both on the ground and in the air
- Hydraulically operated wheel braking and nose wheel steering
- Multi role capability for training
- 8000 flight hours service life for airframe structure
- Long endurance and high service ceiling adequate for a wide range of missions
- Low life cycle cost
- Short turn-around time and low maintenance work load
Technical Data K-8P Aircraft
Power Plant
K-8P is fitted with Honeywell TFE 731-2A-2A modular turbofan engine with Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC), Hydraulic-Mechanical Fuel Control (HMC) and Back-Up Fuel Control (BUC) system.
Egress System / Escape System
Highly reliable escape system incorporating two Martin Baker MK-CN10LW fully automatic rocket assisted zero-zero ejection seats to ensure survival capability within the entire flight envelope.
Cockpit Layout
Cockpit is designed to meet the latest Military Specification of Aircrew Station Geometry and vision requirements. The cockpit is provided with advanced HMDS (Head up Multi-function Display System) which includes Head-Up Display (HUD) and Multi-function Displays (MFDs) in both cockpits to display navigational and attack information. UHF/VHF communication system, TACAN/Radio Compass & ILS are available as per the customers’ requirement.
Environmental Control System (ECS)
Incorporation of most effective ECS provides a roomy cockpit environment with air conditioning capability even on ground under an ambient temperature of - 40 °C to +52 °C
Fuel System
The aircraft fuel system consists of the fuel tanks and the fuel supply / transfer, vent/pressurization, fuel quantity measuring / indicating, refueling and fuel drain sub-systems. The total fuel contained in two fuselage bladder-type rubber tanks and a wing integral tank is 780 kg. The capacity of drop tanks is 194 kg each.
Weights
| Normal take-off weight : | 3800 kg |
| Useful load : | 943 kg |
| Internal fuel capacity : | 780 kg |
| Weight empty : | 2857 kg |
| Maximum take-off weight : | 4293 kg |
Engine Main Data TFE 731-2A-2A
| Rated power maximum static thrust at sea level : | 3600 lbs |
| SFC : | 0.502 lb/lb thrust hr (maximum static thrust) |
| Engine net weight : | 812 lb |
An access through which the engine is installed/removed, is provided on the belly of the fuselage. With this provision, replacement of the engine in the field takes nominal time.
Flight Performance
| Maximum level speed : | 800 km/hr |
| Rate of climb at sea level : | 30 m/s |
| Service ceiling : | 13600 m |
| Built-in Range : | 1560 km |
| Ferry range (with drop tanks) : | 2140 km |
| Endurance : | 3.2 hrs |
| Maximum endurance (with drop tanks) : | 4.2 hrs |
| Un-stick speed : | 185 km/hr |
| Touchdown speed : | 175.75 km/hr |
| Take-off ground run : | 450 m |
| Landing ground run : | 650 m |
| Limit load factor : | +7.33 g -3.0 g |
Dimensions
| Overall length : | 11.6 m |
| Overall height : | 4.21 m |
| Wing area : | 17.02 m2 |
| Wing span : | 9.63 m |
| Wheel track : | 2.54 m |
| Wheel base : | 4.442 m |
Customers
The customers of K-8 are:
| China | Namibia | Sri Lanka | Ghana | Bolivia |
| Pakistan | Egypt | Sudan | Venezuela | Zimbabwe |
