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| Kawasaki C-2 |
Militarymedia.net - The Kawasaki C-2 is Japan's new medium-range transport aircraft. It was developed and manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The JASDF has requirements for a modern medium-range transport aircraft. After researching foreign aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Airbus A400M, the Japanese Ministry of Defense concluded that none of these aircraft had the capabilities required by the JASDF. So the Japanese Ministry of Defense decided to develop a domestic transport aircraft. Development of the XC-2 began in 2001. The aircraft made its first flight in 2010 and was delivered to the JASDF for testing and evaluation in 2011. The first production aircraft was planned to be delivered to the JASDF in 2014. However, it was delayed until several issues were not resolved. . design problem. The Kawasaki C-2 aircraft entered service with the JASDF in 2016. A total of 30-40 aircraft are planned to be delivered. It will eventually replace the older Kawasaki C-1 and Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules tactical cargo aircraft fleet. The C-2 can carry more cargo and has a longer range than the previous C-1 and C-130 Hercules.
The Kawasaki C-2 follows the lines of the previous C-1. The layout is typical for modern military cargo planes. To reduce development and production costs, the aircraft was developed in parallel with the Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft and shares the main fuselage, basic wing structure, and system components.
The aircraft is powered by two General Electric CF6-80C2K1F turbofan engines. Similar engines are widely used in civil aircraft. This airlifter has a high cruising speed.
The C-2 has a payload capacity of 37.6 tonnes. It should be noted that the older C-1 can only carry 10-12 t and the C-130 Hercules - 19 t. The C-2 has similar dimensions and payload capacity to the Airbus A400M. It will be used to transport troops, drop supplies and carry out medical evacuations. It can carry around 120 troops, or 8 pallets of standard air cargo or one UH-60J helicopter. It has a rear loading ramp that can be opened in flight.
This airlifter can operate from short or unprepared runways.
The C-2 is operated by a crew of three, including two pilots and a loadmaster.
Kawasaki also plans to sell a commercial version of the C-2.
