is the
aerospace
Aerospace is a term used to collectively refer to the atmosphere and outer space. Aerospace activity is very diverse, with a multitude of commercial, industrial and military applications. Aerospace engineering consists of aeronautics and astr ...
division of
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
(or simply Kawasaki) is a Japanese public multinational corporation manufacturer of motorcycles, engines, heavy equipment, aerospace and defense equipment, rolling stock and ships, headquartered in Chūō, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It is ...
(KHI). It produces
aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air. It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engine ...
,
space systems,
simulators
A simulation is the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time. Simulations require the use of models; the model represents the key characteristics or behaviors of the selected system or process, whereas the ...
,
jet engines,
missile
In military terminology, a missile is a guided airborne ranged weapon capable of self-propelled flight usually by a jet engine or rocket motor. Missiles are thus also called guided missiles or guided rockets (when a previously unguided rocke ...
s, and
electronic equipment
The field of electronics is a branch of physics and electrical engineering that deals with the emission, behaviour and effects of electrons using electronic devices. Electronics uses active devices to control electron flow by amplification ...
.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Kawasaki Aircraft Industries developed numerous types of aircraft for the
Imperial Japanese Army
The was the official ground-based armed force of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945. It was controlled by the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office and the Ministry of the Army, both of which were nominally subordinate to the Emperor o ...
, such as the
Type 88 reconnaissance aircraft, the
Ki-48 ''Sokei'' bomber, and the
Ka 61 ''Hien'' fighter, up until the end of the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...
. Shortly after the
occupation of Japan started in 1945, Japan's aviation industry was intentionally dismantled and aircraft factories converted for other purposes; the ban on aircraft development was lifted during March 1954, allowing for the nation's aviation industry to be revived. During 1969, ''Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo KK'' was restructured as a formal subsidiary of KHI.
Throughout the
postwar
In Western usage, the phrase post-war era (or postwar era) usually refers to the time since the end of World War II. More broadly, a post-war period (or postwar period) is the interval immediately following the end of a war. A post-war period ...
era, the company has produced numerous aircraft
under license from various overseas manufacturers for
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
The , , also informally referred to as the Japanese Air Force, is the air and space branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace, other air and space operations, cyberwarfare and electronic warf ...
and
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
, abbreviated , also simply known as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) ...
s, alongside its own designs. Licensed aircraft have included the
P-2J (derived from the
Lockheed P-2
The Lockheed P-2 Neptune (designated P2V by the United States Navy prior to September 1962) is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. It was developed for the US Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and P ...
Neptune),
KH-4
The CORONA program was a series of American strategic reconnaissance satellites produced and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Directorate of Science & Technology with substantial assistance from the U.S. Air Force. The COR ...
helicopters (derived from the
Bell 47
The Bell 47 is a single-rotor single-engine light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was based on the third Bell 30 prototype, which was the company's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young. The 47 became the first he ...
),
Kawasaki KV-107 helicopters (derived from the
Boeing Vertol
Boeing Rotorcraft Systems (formerly Boeing Helicopters and before that Boeing Vertol) is the former name of an American aircraft manufacturer, now known as Vertical Lift division of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
The headquarters and main r ...
107 Model II), and
CH-47J / JA heavy-lift helicopters. Indigenously developed aircraft of the postwar era have included the
Kawasaki C-1
The Kawasaki C-1 (川崎 C-1) is a twin-engined short-range military transport aircraft developed and manufactured by the Japanese conglomerate Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It is solely used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
Develop ...
and
Kawasaki C-2
The Kawasaki C-2 (previously XC-2 and C-X) is a mid-size, twin-turbofan engine, long range, high speed military transport aircraft developed and manufactured by Kawasaki Aerospace Company. In June 2016, the C-2 formally entered service with the ...
military transports, the
Kawasaki KAT-1
The Kawasaki KAT-1 is a Japanese primary trainer, seating two in tandem, designed to compete for a Japanese Air Defense Force (JADF) contract in the mid-1950s. Only two were completed.
Design and development
The KAT-1 was designed as a primar ...
and
Kawasaki T-4
The Kawasaki T-4 is a Japanese subsonic intermediate jet trainer aircraft developed and manufactured by the commercial conglomerate Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Its sole operator is the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), in part due to historic ...
trainer aircraft, the
Kawasaki OH-1
The Kawasaki OH-1 (nickname: "Ninja") is a military scout/observation helicopter developed and manufactured by the Kawasaki Aerospace Company. The primary operator is the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), who originally procured the OH-1 ...
reconnaissance helicopter, and the
Kawasaki P-1
The Kawasaki P-1 (previously P-X, XP-1) is a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft developed and manufactured by Kawasaki Aerospace Company. Unlike many maritime patrol aircraft, which are typically conversions of civilian designs, the P-1 is a pu ...
maritime patrol aircraft.
History
Genesis and early years
was one of Japan's first aircraft companies. It was founded during 1918 as a subsidiary of the heavy-industrial conglomerate
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
(or simply Kawasaki) is a Japanese public multinational corporation manufacturer of motorcycles, engines, heavy equipment, aerospace and defense equipment, rolling stock and ships, headquartered in Chūō, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It is ...
in
Kobe. Prior to the conclusion of the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...
, Kawasaki mostly supplied aircraft and aircraft engines to the
Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
The Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS) or Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF; ja, 大日本帝國陸軍航空部隊, Dainippon Teikoku Rikugun Kōkūbutai, lit=Greater Japan Empire Army Air Corps) was the aviation force of the Im ...
(IJAAF).
During the early 1930s, Kawasaki built
Salmson
Salmson is a French engineering company. Initially a pump manufacturer, it turned to automobile and aeroplane manufacturing in the 20th century,
returning to pump manufacturing in the 1960s, and re-expanded to a number of products and services ...
biplanes and engines
under license, and also developed a number of its own designs. Kawasaki hired the noted German
Aerospace engineer
Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. It has two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. Avionics engineering is si ...
and designer, Dr.
Richard Vogt, from 1923 to 1933 to assist with design work and to train Japanese engineers. Among Vogt's pupils was
Takeo Doi
was a Japanese academic, psychoanalyst and author.
Early life
Doi was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1920. He was a graduate of the University of Tokyo.
Career
Doi was Professor Emeritus in the Department of Neuropsychiatry at the University of Toky ...
, the future chief designer for Kawasaki. Vogt later went on to become chief designer for German industrial corporation
Blohm & Voss.
Kawasaki obtained a license from
Dornier for all-metal construction
flying boats, and the Kawasaki-Dornier ''Wal'' made a notable flight in December 1924; however, Kawasaki thereafter specialized in land planes. Noted designs include the:
Company designations
*
KDA-2 - company designation for the Type 88 reconnaissance aircraft
*
KDA-3 - single-seat parasol fighter prototype (1928); lost to the Nakajima NC
*
KDA-5 - company designation for the Type 92 fighter
*
KDA-6 - prototype reconnaissance aircraft
*
KDA-7 - company designation for the Ki-3
*
KDC-2 - mail plane/passenger transport developed from the Type 88
*
KDC-5 - company designation for the C-5
Army designations
*
Type Otsu-1 Reconnaissance Aircraft - reconnaissance biplane; Salmson 2A.2 built under license
*
Ka 87 - twin-engine heavy bomber; Japanese-built Dornier Do N (1926)
*
Type 88 - single-engine reconnaissance biplane (1927)
*
Type 92 - single-seat biplane fighter (1930)
*
Ki-3 - single-engine biplane bomber; last IJAAF biplane bomber design (1933)
*
Ki-5 - experimental single-engine monoplane fighter (1934)
*
Ki-10 - single-seat biplane fighter; last IJAAF biplane fighter (1935)
*
Ki-22 - heavy bomber (not built)
*
Ki-28 - single-engine experimental fighter (1936); cancelled in favor of the Nakajima Ki-27
*
Ki-32 - single-engine monoplane bomber (1937)
*
Ki-38 - proposed twin-engine fighter, predecessor of Ki-45 (1937)
*
Ki-45 ''Toryu'' (屠龍, Dragon Slayer)- twin-engine fighter (1939)
*
Ki-48 - twin-engine light bomber (1939)
*
Ki-56 - twin-engine light transport, developed from the Lockheed Model 14 Electra (1940)
*
Ki-60 - experimental single-engine fighter (1941)
*
Ki-61 ''Hien'' (飛燕, Flying Swallow) - single-seat fighter (1941)
*
Ki-64 - experimental single-seat heavy fighter (1943)
*
Ki-66 - prototype dive bomber based on the Ki-48
*
Ki-78 - high-speed research aircraft (1942)
*
Ki-81 - proposed multi-seat escort fighter based on the Ki-48 (not built)
*
Ki-85 - proposed IJA bomber version of Nakajima G5N (not built)
*
Ki-88 - proposed single-seat fighter (not built)
*
Ki-89 - experimental bomber (not built)
*
Ki-91 - prototype four-engine heavy bomber (1944)
*
Ki-96 - experimental twin-engine heavy fighter (1941)
*
Ki-100 - radial-engine fighter/interceptor (1944)
*
Ki-102 - twin-engine long-range heavy fighter (1944)
*
Ki-108 - high-altitude fighter version of Ki-102
*
Ki-119 - single-engine light bomber (not built)
*
Ki-147 - radio-guided air to surface missile
*
Ki-148
Kawasaki Igo-1-B, otherwise known as Kawasaki Ki-148 was a World War II Japanese guided air-to-surface missile designed in 1944. Developed along its sister projects of Kawasaki Igo-1-A and Tokyo Imperial University designed Igo-1-C, the Igo-1- ...
- radio-guided air-to-surface missile (1944)
*
Ki-174 - single-seat special attack version of Ki-48 (not built)
Civil aircraft
*
A-6 - civil version of KDA-6
*
C-5 - high-speed, long-range communications aircraft (1934)
Engines
*
Ha9 - BMW VI built under license
*
Ha40 - Daimler-Benz DB 601Aa built under license, later known as the Ha-60; used in the Ki-61
*
Ha140 - higher-power version of Ha40; used in the Ki-61-II
*
Ha201 - two Ha40s coupled together with a common gearbox, later known as the Ha-72; used in the Ki-64
Post-war development
During the
occupation of Japan after the end of the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...
, all of Japan's aerospace industry was dismantled, designs destroyed and plants converted to other uses. After the ban on aircraft development was lifted during March 1954, a new company was founded by the merger of subsidiary companies ''K.K. Kawasaki Gifu Seisakusho'' and ''Kawasaki Kikai Kogyo K.K.'', retaining the name of the pre-war ''Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo KK''.
The Kawasaki ''KAL-1'', first flown in July 1953, was the first postwar all-metal aircraft of Japanese design. Early production activity at the company included 210
Lockheed T-33
The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star (or T-Bird) is an American subsonic jet trainer. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then d ...
jet trainers, 48
Lockheed P-2
The Lockheed P-2 Neptune (designated P2V by the United States Navy prior to September 1962) is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. It was developed for the US Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and P ...
H Neptune
maritime patrol aircraft
A maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), also known as a patrol aircraft, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, or by the older American term patrol bomber, is a fixed-wing aircraft designed to operate for long durations over water in maritime patrol rol ...
and 239
Bell 47
The Bell 47 is a single-rotor single-engine light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was based on the third Bell 30 prototype, which was the company's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young. The 47 became the first he ...
helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by horizontally spinning rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward and laterally. These attributes ...
s, all under license from the United States.
In response to encouragement from the Japanese government, during 1957, Kawasaki joined in a
joint venture
A joint venture (JV) is a business entity created by two or more parties, generally characterized by shared ownership, shared returns and economic risk, risks, and shared governance. Companies typically pursue joint ventures for one of four rea ...
, participating along with various other Japanese aerospace companies, including
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
is a Japanese multinational engineering, electrical equipment and electronics corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. MHI is one of the core companies of the Mitsubishi Group and its automobile division is the predecessor of Mitsubishi Mo ...
,
Fuji Heavy Industries
is a Japanese multinational corporation and conglomerate primarily involved in both terrestrial and aerospace transportation manufacturing. It is best known for its line of Subaru automobiles. Founded in 1953, the company was formerly named ( ...
,
Shin Meiwa, Showa Aircraft Industry Company and Japan Aircraft Industry Company in the development and manufacturing what would become the
NAMC YS-11
The NAMC YS-11 is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (NAMC), a Japanese consortium. It was the only post-war airliner to be wholly designed and manufactured in Japan until the development of t ...
, an indigenously developed twin-
turboprop
A turboprop is a turbine engine that drives an aircraft propeller.
A turboprop consists of an intake, reduction gearbox, compressor, combustor, turbine, and a propelling nozzle. Air enters the intake and is compressed by the compressor. ...
airliner.
[Endres 1996, p. 22.][Taylor 1966, p. 107.] Kawasaki provided both personnel and infrastructure for the venture, manufacturing various components of the YS-11.
[Odagiri, Odagiri and Akira 1996, pp. 224-225.]
During April 1969, ''Kawasaki Kokuki K.K.'' was dissolved, its assets being restructured as a division of the reorganized
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
(or simply Kawasaki) is a Japanese public multinational corporation manufacturer of motorcycles, engines, heavy equipment, aerospace and defense equipment, rolling stock and ships, headquartered in Chūō, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It is ...
(KHI).
Under Kawasaki Heavy Industries
During April 1969, the former ''Kawasaki Kokuki K.K.'' was dissolved and became a division of the reorganized Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). Kawasaki is a major contractor for the
Japanese Ministry of Defense
The is an executive department of the Government of Japan responsible for preserving the peace and independence of Japan, and maintaining the country’s national security and the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
The ministry is headed by the ...
. Although in November 1970, Kawasaki completed Japan's first domestically designed twin turbofan military transport, the
C-1, the company concentrated primarily on licensed production of derivatives of American patrol aircraft and helicopters through the 1990s. Kawasaki built 82
P-2Js (derived from the
Lockheed P-2
The Lockheed P-2 Neptune (designated P2V by the United States Navy prior to September 1962) is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. It was developed for the US Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and P ...
Neptune), 211
KH-4
The CORONA program was a series of American strategic reconnaissance satellites produced and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Directorate of Science & Technology with substantial assistance from the U.S. Air Force. The COR ...
helicopters (derived from the
Bell 47
The Bell 47 is a single-rotor single-engine light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was based on the third Bell 30 prototype, which was the company's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young. The 47 became the first he ...
), 160
Kawasaki KV-107 helicopters (derived from the
Boeing Vertol
Boeing Rotorcraft Systems (formerly Boeing Helicopters and before that Boeing Vertol) is the former name of an American aircraft manufacturer, now known as Vertical Lift division of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
The headquarters and main r ...
107 Model II), and
Hughes/McDonnell Douglas Model 500D and
OH-6DA helicopters. Kawasaki also built 101
P-3C antisubmarine warfare patrol airplanes plus four EP-3/UP-3D electronic intelligence/training variants, and 68
CH-47J / JA.
On 25 February 1977, Kawasaki and German aerospace manufacturer
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) signed an agreement to cooperate on the development of a new rotorcraft; under the terms of this agreement, the two corporations merged their previously separate projects to produce twin-engined general purpose helicopters, these being the ''Bo 107'' by MBB and the ''KH-7'' from Kawasaki.
[''Air International'' April 1989, p. 163.] Separate elements were assigned to each company; MBB were responsible for developing the
rotor
Rotor may refer to:
Science and technology
Engineering
* Rotor (electric), the non-stationary part of an alternator or electric motor, operating with a stationary element so called the stator
*Helicopter rotor, the rotary wing(s) of a rotorcraft ...
s (these were based on the rigid rotor system previously used on MBB's
Bo 105), tailboom,
flight control
A conventional fixed-wing aircraft flight control system consists of flight control surfaces, the respective cockpit controls, connecting linkages, and the necessary operating mechanisms to control an aircraft's direction in flight. Aircraft e ...
s and
hydraulic
Hydraulics (from Greek: Υδραυλική) is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids. At a very basic level, hydraulics is the liquid counte ...
system while Kawasaki undertook the development of the
landing gear
Landing gear is the undercarriage of an aircraft or spacecraft that is used for takeoff or landing. For aircraft it is generally needed for both. It was also formerly called ''alighting gear'' by some manufacturers, such as the Glenn L. Martin ...
,
airframe, main transmission, electrical system and other minor components.
Each company established their own final assembly lines on which they produced the rotorcraft to meet demands within their respective local markets.
[''Air International'' April 1989, p. 164.][McCellan 1986, p. 66.]
During the 1970s and 1980s, Kawasaki developed an indigenous intermediate jet trainer and liaison aircraft, the
T-4. Manufacture was performed by a consortium consisting of Mitsubishi, Fuji, and Kawasaki, the latter providing leadership over the venture.
[Middleton and Lowe 1988, p. 20.] The final assembly line for the type was established at Kawasaki's plant in
Gifu, capable of producing a maximum of two and a half aircraft per month.
[Middleton and Lowe 1988, p. 21.] In addition to economic and performance consideration, the T-4's design had to incorporate political desires as well; significant emphasis had been placed upon powering it with the first all-Japanese production
turbofan
The turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a portmanteau of "turbine" and "fan": the ''turbo'' portion refers to a gas turbine engine which achieves mechanic ...
engine, the
Ishikawajima-Harima F3-IHI-30.
[Middleton and Lowe 1988, p. 19.] According to aerospace publication
Flight International
''Flight International'' is a monthly magazine focused on aerospace. Published in the United Kingdom and founded in 1909 as "A Journal devoted to the Interests, Practice, and Progress of Aerial Locomotion and Transport", it is the world's old ...
, it was considered plausible for the T-4 to have been a competitive product upon the global trainer aircraft market, but such opportunities were denied by a long-standing Japanese policy that forbid military export sales.
[Middleton and Lowe 1988, p. 17.]
On 18 September 1992, Kawasaki was appointed by the Ministry of Defense to produce the
OH-1, an indigenously designed armed observation and light
attack helicopter.
["OH-1 Light Observation Helicopter."](_blank)
''Kawasaki'', Retrieved: 26 June 2016.[Aoki 1999, pp. 37–44.] It was responsible for manufacturing 50 per cent of the airframe, as well as coordinating development of its rotor system; the remaining airframe elements were manufactured by Mitsubishi and Fuji.
["Rotorcraft Forecast: Kawasaki OH-1."](_blank)
''Forecast International'', September 2013. During June 1998, after finalising a production contract and receipt of an initial order earlier that year, series production of the OH-1 officially commenced.
[Taylor 1999, p. 305.][Lewis, Paul]
"First OH-1 scout helicopters poised for series production."
''Flight International'', 29 April 1998. By the late 1990s, the JGSDF had announced that its plans to eventually procure between 150
and 250 OH-Xs to meet its requirements.
Kawasaki has proposed multiple derivatives of the OH-1, including a utility variant intended to replace the JGSDF's fleet of Fuji-built
Bell UH-1J Iroquois helicopters, and an attack-oriented version tentatively designated as the ''AH-2''.
During the 2000s, the company developed two closely related multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft, the
XP-1 maritime patrol airplane and the
XC-2 transport aircraft.
["Sky-High Expectations for Japan's P-X and C-X Aircraft."](_blank)
''Kawasaki Heavy Industries Scope Quarterly Newsletter'', No.73. October 2007. Kawasaki was appointed as the prime contractor for both programmes during 2001, its launch occurred almost 30 years after the previous large-scale domestic development of an aircraft in Japan.
Although the P-X and C-X designs were originally independent, it was decided that having common components to both designs would be useful. The JDA mandated that the two aircraft share identical body components;
common components include the cockpit windows, outer wings, horizontal stabilizer, and other systems. Internal shared parts include the
auxiliary power unit
An auxiliary power unit (APU) is a device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are commonly found on large aircraft and naval ships as well as some large land vehicles. Aircraft APUs generally produce 115& ...
, cockpit panel, flight control system computer, anti-collision lights, and gear control unit.
Due to the different roles of the two aircraft, they remain distinctly separate. The sharing of development resources had allowed for a large reduction in overall development costs which, when including the C-2, were reported as being 345 billion
Yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third-most traded currency in the foreign exchange market, after the United States dollar (US$) and the euro. It is also widely used as a third reserve currency after the US dollar and the e ...
($3 billion) in 2007. On 30 June 2016, the C-2 airlifter formally entered service with the
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
The , , also informally referred to as the Japanese Air Force, is the air and space branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace, other air and space operations, cyberwarfare and electronic warf ...
.
Kawasaki produced the
AgustaWestland AW101
The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter in military and civil use. First flown in 1987, it was developed by a joint venture between Westland Helicopters in the United Kingdom and Agusta in Italy in response to national requireme ...
, a tri-engined medium-lift helicopter, under license from
Anglo
Anglo is a prefix indicating a relation to, or descent from, the Angles, England, English culture, the English people or the English language, such as in the term ''Anglosphere''. It is often used alone, somewhat loosely, to refer to peopl ...
-
Italian
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance language
*** Regional Ita ...
helicopter manufacturer
AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland was an Anglo-Italian helicopter design and manufacturing company, which was a wholly owned subsidiary of Finmeccanica (now known as Leonardo). It was formed in July 2000 as an Anglo-Italian multinational company, when Finmeccani ...
. During 2002, the company, along with AgustaWestland and
Marubeni, formalised an agreement to cooperate on the AW101's production in Japan; Kawasaki began the assembly of both the CH-101 and the MCH-101 models in 2003. Kawasaki also began licensed production of its RTM322 engines during 2005. A specialised mine sweeping and transport model, designated as ''MCH-101'' by the
Japan Defense Agency, was produced for the
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
, abbreviated , also simply known as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) ...
. Special features include the automated folding of the rotor and tail.
For the
mine-hunting role, the MCH-101 has been outfitted with
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American multinational aerospace and defense technology company. With 90,000 employees and an annual revenue in excess of $30 billion, it is one of the world's largest weapons manufacturers and military techn ...
's
AQS-24A airborne mine-hunting system and
AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) for a complete surface-to-bottom mine detection capability, as well as Mk-104 acoustic mine sweeping gear.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Showcasing MCH-101 Mine Warfare Helicopter
– Navyrecognition.com, 14 June 2017
In the commercial aviation business, KHI has been involved in the joint international development and production of multiple large passenger aircraft. It is involved in joint development and production of the Boeing 767 and Boeing 777
The Boeing 777, commonly referred to as the Triple Seven, is an American long-range wide-body airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet.
The 777 was designed to bridge the gap betw ...
with The Boeing Company
The Boeing Company () is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide. The company also provides leasing and product ...
, and the 170, 175, 190 and 195 jets with Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica (Embraer). The company is also involved in the joint international development and production of turbofan engines
The turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a portmanteau of "turbine" and "fan": the ''turbo'' portion refers to a gas turbine engine which achieves mechanical ...
for passenger aircraft such as the V2500
The IAE V2500 is a two-shaft high-bypass turbofan engine built by International Aero Engines (IAE) which powers the Airbus A320 family, the McDonnell Douglas MD-90, and the Embraer C-390 Millennium.
The engine's name is a combination of the Rom ...
, the RB211/Trent, the PW4000
The Pratt & Whitney PW4000 is a family of dual-spool, axial-flow, high-bypass turbofan aircraft engines produced by Pratt & Whitney as the successor to the JT9D.
It was first run in April 1984, was FAA certified in July 1986, and was introdu ...
and the CF34.
Kawasaki also works for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It was responsible for the development and production of the payload fairings, payload attach fittings (PAF) and the construction of the launch complex for the H-II rocket. KHI continues to provide services for the H-IIA
H-IIA (H-2A) is an active expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. These liquid fuel rockets have been used to launch satellites into geostationary orbit; lunar o ...
rocket.
Main products
* Aircraft
** Kawasaki C-1
The Kawasaki C-1 (川崎 C-1) is a twin-engined short-range military transport aircraft developed and manufactured by the Japanese conglomerate Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It is solely used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
Develop ...
- twin-turbofan military transport
** Kawasaki C-2
The Kawasaki C-2 (previously XC-2 and C-X) is a mid-size, twin-turbofan engine, long range, high speed military transport aircraft developed and manufactured by Kawasaki Aerospace Company. In June 2016, the C-2 formally entered service with the ...
- advanced military transport
** Kawasaki KAT-1
The Kawasaki KAT-1 is a Japanese primary trainer, seating two in tandem, designed to compete for a Japanese Air Defense Force (JADF) contract in the mid-1950s. Only two were completed.
Design and development
The KAT-1 was designed as a primar ...
- primary training aircraft
** Kawasaki KH-4
The Kawasaki KH-4 was a light utility helicopter produced in Japan in the 1960s as a development of the Bell 47 that Kawasaki had been building under licence since 1952. The most visible difference between the KH-4 and its forerunner was its new ...
- light utility helicopter
** Kawasaki OH-1
The Kawasaki OH-1 (nickname: "Ninja") is a military scout/observation helicopter developed and manufactured by the Kawasaki Aerospace Company. The primary operator is the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), who originally procured the OH-1 ...
- light reconnaissance helicopter
** OH-6 Cayuse
The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. Its formal name is derived from the Cayuse people while its "Loach" nickname comes from the acronym f ...
light reconnaissance helicopter
** Kawasaki P-1
The Kawasaki P-1 (previously P-X, XP-1) is a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft developed and manufactured by Kawasaki Aerospace Company. Unlike many maritime patrol aircraft, which are typically conversions of civilian designs, the P-1 is a pu ...
- advanced maritime patrol aircraft
** Kawasaki P-2J
The Kawasaki P-2J (originally P2V-Kai) is a maritime patrol and ASW aircraft developed for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. A turboprop-powered version of the radial-engined P-2 Neptune, the P-2J was developed as an alternative to buying ...
- maritime patrol aircraft
** Kawasaki T-4
The Kawasaki T-4 is a Japanese subsonic intermediate jet trainer aircraft developed and manufactured by the commercial conglomerate Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Its sole operator is the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), in part due to historic ...
- intermediate jet trainer
** Kawasaki YPX
The Kawasaki YPX was a twinjet airliner proposed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan. The YPX was based on the Kawasaki P-1 aircraft developed for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, but with two engines instead of four.
Design and devel ...
- proposed airliner
** MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 - utility, transport helicopter
* Space systems
* Simulators
A simulation is the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time. Simulations require the use of models; the model represents the key characteristics or behaviors of the selected system or process, whereas the ...
* Jet engines
* Missile
In military terminology, a missile is a guided airborne ranged weapon capable of self-propelled flight usually by a jet engine or rocket motor. Missiles are thus also called guided missiles or guided rockets (when a previously unguided rocke ...
s
** Type 64 MAT
The is a Japanese wire-guided anti-tank missile developed during the late 1950s. The missile is a broadly similar to the Swiss/German Cobra and the 9M14 Malyutka. Within the JGSDF, it is also known as 64MAT and KAM-3.
History
Development of ...
- anti-tank missile
** Type 79 Jyu-MAT
The is a Japanese SACLOS guided anti-tank missile that entered service with the JGSDF in 1984. It was initially issued to coastal defence units, intended to destroy troop and vehicle landing ships as they approached the shoreline. It is also kno ...
- anti-tank/landing-craft missile
** Type 87 Chu-MAT
The Chū-MAT is a Japanese laser guided anti-tank missile in service with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. Intended as a front-line replacement for the Type 64 MAT, it has entered into service alongside the SACLOS guided Type 79 Jyu-MAT. ...
- anti-tank missile
** Type 96 Multi-Purpose Missile System
The is an Anti-tank/Landing craft missile used by the JGSDF. It is the first Japanese missile system that uses a complete digitally controlled interface.
History
Development of the Type 96 system began in 1986 by JGSDF Ground Research and Dev ...
- anti-tank/landing-craft missile
** Type 01 LMAT
The is a Japanese man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank missile. Development began in 1993 at Kawasaki Heavy Industries and was accepted into service in 2001. During development, the missile was designated with the codename XATM-5. Later it was ...
- anti-tank missile
** Middle range Multi-Purpose missile
The or is an Anti-tank/ Landing craft missile used by the Japanese army as JGSDF.
Description
Chū-MPM is smaller scale and much less expensive than the Type 96 MPMS. As such, it is deployed in greater numbers. The system controls are cont ...
* Electronic equipment
The field of electronics is a branch of physics and electrical engineering that deals with the emission, behaviour and effects of electrons using electronic devices. Electronics uses active devices to control electron flow by amplification ...
* Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controlle ...
** Kawasaki KAQ-1 - aerial target drone
References
Citations
Bibliography
* Aoki, Yoshimoto. "Kawasaki OH-1". ''World Air Power Journal''. Volume 38, Autumn/Fall 1999. London:Aerospace Publishing. . ISSN 0959-7050. pp. 36–45.
* "BK 117...a Terrestrial Space Ship". '' Air International'', Vol 36 No 4, April 1989. Bromley, UK:Fine Scroll. . pp. 163–170.
*
* McCellan, J. Mac
"Paramedic."
'' Flying", February 1986. Vol. 113, No. 2. pp. 62–67. .
* Middleton, Peter and Janice Lowe
"XT-4: potent with potential."
''Flight International'', 9 January 1988. pp. 17–21.
* Odagiri, Hiroyuki., Goto Odagiri and Akira Gotō
"Technology and Industrial Development in Japan."
''Clarendon Press'', 1996.
* Taylor, Michael J.H. ''Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000''. London:Brassey's, 1999. .
*
External links
Kawasaki Aerospace Company
{{Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Japanese companies established in 1918
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Aircraft manufacturers of Japan
Helicopter manufacturers of Japan
Unmanned aerial vehicles of Japan
Defense companies of Japan
Manufacturing companies based in Tokyo
Manufacturing companies based in Kobe
Japanese brands
Aircraft engine manufacturers of Japan