ANDREW DOYLE / SINGAPORE
ShinMaywa Industries has begun converting the first Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF)US-1A search and rescue amphibian to the upgraded "Kai" standard and is on track to fly it in August 2003.
Meanwhile, the Japan Defence Agency has authorised ´1.6 billion ($13 million) of funding to buy Rolls-Royce (R-R) Allison AE2100J engines and six-bladed Dowty R414 propellers plus a Honeywell RE220 auxiliary power unit (APU) to equip the first aircraft. The R-R powerplant is a derivative of the Lockheed Martin C-130J's AE2100D3, while the APU is the same as that on the Bombardier Global Express and Gulfstream GVlong-range business jets.
Two AE2100Js were delivered in 1999 for use in the development programme. One of these will be installed on the first four-engined US-1A Kai alongside the three new turboprops, which are due to be delivered in March 2003. The remaining engine will serve as a spare, says Kanji Ishimaru, ShinMaywa's US-1A modification engineering team section manager. The AE2100J replaces the US-1A's existing General Electric T64-10Jpowerplant.
Other improvements to the aircraft include the addition of a Kawasaki-designed fly-by-wire flight control system, glass cockpit, pressurised upper hull and modified wing with integral fuel tanks.
"We have finished all the production drawings, which have been approved and released to the factory," says Ishimaru. "Right now we are starting production of the number one full-scale test aircraft." Production work is at ShinMaywa's factory in Kobe, near Osaka.
The upgraded aircraft is due to go into operation with the JMSDF in June 2006. Initially, seven existing US-1As will be modernised, but industry hopes JDAwill eventually procure seven new-build aircraft as well. The agency is expected to make a decision on this in 2006.
The US-1A first flew in 1974 and entered service with the JMSDF the following year.
Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have submitted bids to be prime contractor for Japan's C-X/MP-X programme to replace Kawasaki-built Lockheed Martin P-3 maritime patrol aircraft and Kawasaki C-1 transports. The Japanese Development Agency is seeking commonality between the two platforms.Source: Flight International
