KAWASAKI HEAVY Industries (KHI) has rolled out the lead flight prototype of the OH-X - Japan's first indigenously designed military helicopter.
The twin-engined scout helicopter is scheduled to have its first flight at KHI's Gifu plant in July, before delivery to the Japan Defence Agency (JDA) in April 1997. It will be joined by a further three OH-X flying prototypes by the third quarter of 1997.
Flight testing of the tandem seat machine, will be undertaken by the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) and the JDA's Technical Research and Development Institute.
Two static airframes will be used to undertake fatigue and tie-down tests.
The OH-X is powered by two 700kW (950shp) Mitsubishi XTS1-10 turbo-shaft engines and has composite hingeless main-rotor blades and a ducted tail rotor. It will be equipped with television and infra-red sensors, laser range-finder and stub wings for auxiliary fuel tanks or air-to-air missiles.
A total of more than '89 billion ($830 million) has been spent on developing the OH-X from 1992 to the final allocation of funding for 1996. Flight testing, is due to be completed by 1999 and the helicopter is scheduled, to enter service with the JGSDF the following year.
The JGSDF requires around 100 helicopters to replace its Kawasaki-built McDonnell Douglas OH-6D observation machines. The OH-X is intended to provide battlefield reconnaissance for the JGSDF's Bell/Fuji AH-1S anti-tank helicopter and its planned AH-X successor.
Source: Flight International