Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
THE JAPAN MARITIME Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) plans to begin work in 1996 on a '50 billion ($469 million) programme to upgrade the Shinmaywa US-1A amphibian.
Work will include re-engineing the US-1A with new Allison AE2100 turboprops, installing a fly-by-wire flight-control system, fitting improved cockpit avionics and pressurising the aircraft for higher-altitude operations.
The eight-year programme is intended, to extend the aircraft's range to, more than 5,000km (2,700nm) and increase its operational ceiling to 25,000ft (7,600m), allowing for a faster response time, to search-and-rescue missions. Shinmaywa's longer-term hope is to win support for its follow-on US-X amphibian (Flight International, 9-15 August 1995, P15).
Funding for the US-1A upgrade is contained in the 1996-2000 mid-term defence programme, recently approved by the Japanese Government. The five-year plan also includes provision for three new-build amphibians, to supplement the seven surviving US-1As still in JMSDF service.
Other planned navy procurements over the next five years include 37 Sikorsky/Mitsubishi SH-60J anti-submarine helicopters, six UH-60J rescue machines, one Lockheed Martin/ Kawasaki UP-3D electronic-warfare training aircraft, three Fuji T-5s and seven Beech TC-90 trainers.
The JMSDF is also looking for an initial two new transport aircraft with which to begin replacing its Nihon YS-11Ms. One option under consideration is to convert some of the service's surplus Lockheed Martin P-3C anti-submarine aircraft, into transports.
Source: Flight International