Japanese C-X transport on schedule for first flight

^{Seiji Hirokawa in Tokyo}

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) is on track to complete assembly of its first C-X flight-test aircraft next March, with the new transport aircraft on schedule to conduct its first flight in mid-2007.

Static tests of an initial full-scale airframe are beginning at the Japan defence agency’s Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) in Gifu, with load frames, actuators and measuring instruments installed and strength tests to commence later this year. A second static test aircraft will be produced during Japan’s 2008 fiscal year, with structural and fatigue work to continue through FY11.

Prime contractor KHI is developing the C-X to replace the Japanese air self-defence force’s 27 Kawasaki C-1s under a joint project worth Y340 billion ($3.1 billion). This will also produce a P-X replacement for the Japanese maritime self-defence force’s Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. KHI’s first P-X flight-test aircraft will be completed in the second quarter of next year and is expected to fly for the first time by late 2007.

KHI will deliver the first General Electric CF6-80C2-powered C-X flight-test aircraft to the TRDI after its first flight next year, for evaluation between FY09 and FY11. In early May, GE received US Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness certification to supply the turbofan for up to 44 C-X aircraft and will deliver its first powerplants to KHI later this year.

Japan’s mid-term defence programme for FY05-9 includes funds for an initial eight C-X transports, with the air force hoping to eventually acquire 30 to replace its C-1s. The service also has a long-term need to replace its 16 Lockheed C-130Hs and 13 NAMC YS-11s, including electronic-intelligence variants of the latter type.

KHI, meanwhile, remains hopeful of receiving permission to offer the C-X for export sale as a commercial freighter from FY11, and will also promote the use of the P-X as the basis for a new 125-seat passenger aircraft.

Source: Flight International