Japan's Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) has been awarded a contract to manufacture an additional seven XF7-10 test engines, four of which will be used for first flight of the Kawasaki P-X maritime patrol aircraft in 2007.
The Japan Defence Agency (JDA) selected the indigenous XF7-10 turbofan late last year to power the four-engined P-X, following the completion of preliminary tests using an initial five engines (Flight International, 7-13 December 2004). IHI says it will deliver two more engines later this year that will be used for propulsion system testing.
The four engines that will power the first flight-test aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2006. IHI says it also has been contracted to deliver in the second half of 2006 three engines that will be used for qualification tests, which will "demonstrate the suitability for production and service use".
The JDA is testing one of the initial five engines on a Kawasaki C-1 flying testbed. The other four engines are being put through preliminary flight rating tests.
BRENDAN SOBIE/TOKYO
Source: Flight International
