The ShinMaywa US-2 is a Japanese large STOL amphibious aircraft designed for air-sea rescue (SAR) work. Operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the US-2 is scheduled to replace the older Shin Meiwa US-1A in Japanese service.
Video ShinMaywa US-2
Design and development
With the Shin Meiwa US-1A fleet introduced in the 1970s beginning to reach the end of its service life, the JMSDF attempted to obtain funding for a replacement in the 1990s, but could not obtain enough to develop an entirely new aircraft. Therefore, in 1995, ShinMaywa (as Shin Meiwa was by then renamed) began plans for an upgraded version of the US-1A, the US-1A kai (US-1A ? - "improved US-1A"). This aircraft features numerous aerodynamic refinements, a pressurised hull, and more powerful Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engines. Flight tests began on December 18, 2003. The JMSDF purchased up to 14 of these aircraft, which entered service as the ShinMaywa US-2.
Maps ShinMaywa US-2
Operational history
The aircraft is currently operated by the 31st Fleet Air Wing (71st Air Force, 71st Flight Squadron) at Iwakuni air base and Atsugi air base.
In April 2015 aircraft 9905 was involved in an accident. The aircraft was on a training mission near Cape Ashizuri in Shikoku and four crew members were injured.
Export
The Indian Navy has a requirement for 12-18 US-2 Amphibious Search and Rescue aircraft at a cost of $USD1.65 billion. It is expected that these amphibious aircraft will be stationed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In October 2016, ShinMaywa reduced the price to around $USD 113 million per aircraft. There were expectations that a contract for the order would be signed in November 2016, but it was deferred by the Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar. In March 2018, Japanese ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu told The Hindu Business Line that talks were still in progress.
There have also been reports that Thailand is interested in purchasing the aircraft.
Indonesia is another prospective customer.
Operators
- Japan
- Japan Maritime Self Defense Force
Specifications (US-2)
Data from ShinMaywa
General characteristics
- Crew: 11
- Capacity: 20 passengers or 12 stretchers
- Length: 33.46 m (109 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 33.15 m (108 ft 9 in)
- Height: 9.8 m (32 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 135.8 m2 (1,462 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 25,630 kg (56,504 lb)
- Gross weight: 43,000 kg (94,799 lb) water take-off
- Max takeoff weight: 47,700 kg (105,160 lb) land take-off
- Powerplant: 4 × Rolls-Royce AE 2100J turboprop, 3,424 kW (4,592 hp) each
- Powerplant: 1 × LHTEC T800 turboshaft Boundary layer control compressor, 1,017 kW (1,364 hp)
- Propellers: 6-bladed Dowty R414
Performance
- Maximum speed: 560 km/h (348 mph; 302 kn)
- Cruise speed: 480 km/h (298 mph; 259 kn) at 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
- Range: 4,700 km (2,920 mi; 2,538 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 7,195 m (23,606 ft)
- Takeoff distance on ground at MTOW: 490 m (1,610 ft)
- Landing distance on ground at MTOW: 1,500 m (4,900 ft)
- Takeoff distance on water at Loaded weight: 280 m (920 ft)
- Landing distance on water at Loaded weight: 330 m (1,080 ft)
See also
- Related development
- ShinMaywa US-1A
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- AVIC TA-600
- Harbin SH-5
- Beriev Be-12
- Canadair CL-215
- Bombardier CL-415
- Related lists
- List of military aircraft of Japan
- List of flying boats
References
Notes
External links
- ShinMaywa US-2 site
- MAST Asia 2015
- US-2 Brochure
- ShinMaywa launches commercial production of US-2 STOL Search and Rescue Amphibians - ShinMaywa news release
- ShinMaywa delivers first production type of "US-2" STOL Search and Rescue Amphibians to Japan's Ministry of Defense - ShinMaywa news release
- 71st Flight Squadron (in Japanese) JMSDF Iwakuni air base
- 71st Flight Squadron (in Japanese) JMSDF Atsugi air base
Source of article : Wikipedia
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