On a significant move that would boost Nigeria's Aviation industry and increase combat support, the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology is on the verge of producing the first locally manufactured light training aircraft.
This was disclosed by the Spokesperson of the Air Force Institute of Technology, Dr Bassey Okon, who stated that the aggressive push of the institute to inaugurate the aircraft underscored the dream of the Nigerian Air Force to transform the aviation sector in the country.
He pointed out that when the aircraft project is completed, it would have a capacity for two passengers, a maximum take-off mass of 850kg and a 5-hour operational flight time.
He stressed that the production of the aircraft, which started with the students’ design contest, artificial intelligence and robotics competition, and hackathon contest, among others, was in an advanced stage.
He further disclosed that the production was only awaiting the final stage before it would be tested and inaugurated.
"It was to be powered by a Lycoming IO-360 engine and would have a maximum operational flight time of about 5 hours. It would be capable of a maximum forward speed of 120 knots and a range of 453 nautical miles"
“The aircraft is expected to have a maximum operational altitude of 10,000 ft and will feature state-of-the-art technology such as graphene material for coating structural components, an integrated vehicle health monitoring system and advanced avionics equipment,” he noted.
He the aim of the institution is transforming the aviation industry in Nigeria “and providing the needed technical support to the Nigerian Air Force operations as it looks forward to welcoming Nigeria’s first indigenous aircraft through the research efforts of AFIT and the future is here”.
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