Manufacturer wants rules eased to allow C-X military transport to be exported
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) is lobbying the Japanese government to authorise export sales of its C-X military transport after domestic deliveries start early next decade.
Japanese manufacturers are prohibited from exporting military aircraft, but the Japanese Defence Agency (JDA) is considering exempting certain types from this rule as part of a broad policy review. A new policy, driven by a desire to improve the Japanese aerospace industry's efficiency during a period of tight defence budgets, could be unveiled later this year.
KHI believes the C-X is perfect for export, while ShinMaywa Industries' new US-1A Kai amphibious search-and-rescue aircraft is another candidate. The latter made its debut flight late last year and is scheduled to enter service in 2007 (Flight International, 17-23 February).
"The C-X is just a cargo aircraft. It's not offensive," says KHI. "We hope there is a way to sell it to other countries." The company would target air forces seeking a short take-off and landing transport larger than a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules but smaller than a Boeing C-17.
While KHI does not see a market for a civil version of the C-X, the Japan Aircraft Development Corporation (JADC) is leading a study to determine if technologies from the programme could be adapted for use in commercial aircraft development programmes.
The JADC says the study will be completed after the technology for the C-X is fixed. Any outgrowth hinges on the JDA easing its prohibition on the use of technology developed by the defence sector for commercial programmes.
KHI last month completed a 13,000m2 (140,00ft2) assembly plant for the C-X at its Gifu factory. The first aircraft is due to fly in fiscal year 2007 and enter service in 2011, with a contract for the flight-test programme to be awarded next March. KHI and airframe suppliers Fuji, Mitsubishi and Nippi are preparing production drawings for the first flying prototype and production of a full-scale static article is under way ahead of delivery in 2006.
A model of the C-X is to make its public debut in October at the Japanese Aerospace 2004 exhibition in Yokohama, along with a model of KHI's future P-X maritime patrol aircraft.
BRENDAN SOBIE / TOKYO
Source: Flight International
