Japan's C-X programme to develop an indigenous airlift capability faces fresh delays of up to a year due to structural problems with the first prototype aircraft.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which is developing the C-X and the XP-1 maritime patrol aircraft, rolled out both prototypes in July 2007. While the XP-1 had its first flight in September 2007, the C-X has been plagued by problems ever since and its first flight has now been delayed by over a year.
"Hopefully, we make it this year," says Chikashi Motoyama, president of KHI's aerospace company. "The ministry of defence is conducting the static tests and they will decide on the timetable for the first flight." He has not said what led to the delay.
However, industry sources in Tokyo say ongoing structural issues mean that another delay is on the cards. Late last year, tests revealed a problem with the aircraft's horizontal stabiliser and checks showed cracks around the main landing gear and fuselage. It has been difficult to rectify this problem and KHI may have to go back to the drawing board with the design, they add.
An ongoing court case involving the purchase of five General Electric CF6-80C2 engines for the aircraft has also brought the programme into the spotlight, with prosecutors alleging that a former top bureaucrat received bribes from GE's local agent.
"If the defence ministry is seen to be accepting an aircraft with defects, it could lead to another investigation and that's something the government does not want right now. Also, with money really tight right, the ministry has to justify every purchase and it would be tough to do that if the problems persist," says one industry source.
A final decision is expected by the end of the year, with industry sources expecting a redesign of the aircraft resulting in a further delay of at least one year. "The problems are too serious to paper over. From what I hear, the first flight is likely to be delayed to the second half of 2008," says a second source.
The XP-1 programme, however, is on schedule. The ministry ordered four prototypes, with the second on track to be delivered by the end of October and the remaining two by the end of March. "We believe that there will be funding for additional aircraft in the next financial year and we hope to begin commercial production in 2009," says Motoyama.
Japan hopes to replace its Air Self-Defence Force's Kawasaki C-1 and Lockheed Martin C-130H transports with the C-X, while the XP-1 will replace the Maritime Self-Defence Force's Lockheed Martin P3-Cs.
Source: Flight International
