IHI to power Japan's P-X

Japan has selected the Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) XF7-10 engine to power its new Kawasaki P-X maritime patrol aircraft, ending an almost two-year delay. The indigenous design was the only candidate to power the four-engined P-X, 80 of which will be built for the Japan Defence Agency (JDA).

The JDA had been expected to select the XF7 from late 2002, but a formal decision was delayed pending testing of prototype engines, the first of which was delivered in September 2002.

With preliminary tests on five prototype engines nearly complete, the JDA last month announced its selection of the XF7-10. Initial flight-rated tests at the agency's Technical Research and Development Institute will be completed in 2005.

Source: Flight International