ANDREW DOYLE / TOKYO
Japan seeks industry proposals for its aerospace programmes of the next decade
The Japan Defence Agency (JDA) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for an indigenously developed common platform to replace Kawasaki-built Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft and Kawasaki C-1 transports.
Three potential prime contractors - Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - are bidding for leadership of the $3 billion C-X/MP-X programme.
The RFP was also sent to at least five other defence contractors - Jamco, Shinmaywa Industries, Showa Aircraft Industry, Japan Aircraft Manufacturing and Shinko Electric - that are likely to play a role in development of the aircraft and systems. Responses are due at the end of next month and the winners could be announced in September or October.
The C-X and MP-X, due to enter service in 2009 and 2011, respectively, will be the key aerospace programmes for Japanese industry over the next decade and the most ambitious attempted to date. JDA planning calls for a common basic airframe, though the C-X will almost certainly be twin-engined while the MPX is likely to have four engines.
It is also unclear whether both will be high- or low-wing designs, or whether the transport will incorporate a high wing and the maritime aircraft a low wing, as would be considered optimal.
The JDA's Technical Research and Development Institute is starting work on a 13,000lb- (58kN-) thrust-class turbofan that would be a candidate MP-X engine. The work is in partnership with Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, with a budget of more than $60 million. The engine will be based on the core of a technology demonstrator that was first tested in 1995.
The JDA requires the C-X to be turbofan-powered, with sufficient range to reach Hawaii from Japan carrying twice the payload of the Lockheed Martin C-130.
The agency is thought likely to select a single prime contractor to oversee both projects, although another option would be separate primes, linked by a joint programme office. Kawasaki is seen as a leading contender as it manufactured the C-1 and P-3.
Several US and European aircraft manufacturers are negotiating with Japanese firms with a view to participating as subcontractors.
Source: Flight International
