Kawasaki C-2

C-2
The 2nd prototype C-2 (2015)
Role Military transport aircraft
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Kawasaki Aerospace Company
First flight 26 January 2010
Introduction 30 June 2016[1]
Status In service
Primary user Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Produced 2010-present
Number built 7 (40+ planned to be built [2])
Unit cost
approx. 14 billion yen / 136 million US dollars

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 Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).[1][3][4] There are ongoing efforts to sell it overseas to countries such as New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.

Development

After researching foreign aircraft such as the C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, and Airbus A400M, the Japanese Ministry of Defense concluded that there was no aircraft in production that possessed the capabilities that the JASDF required. In response to this need, the Japanese MOD commenced the production of plans to develop an indigenously designed and manufactured transport aircraft. In 1995, Kawasaki appealed to the Japanese Defense Agency (JDA) to issue funding for the development of a domestically-built C-X transport aircraft.[5] In 2000, the JDA began forming its requirement for the replacement military airlifter; early determinations for the proposed project included that it would be powered by turbofan engines, possess the range to reach Hawaii from Japan, and carry double the payload of the C-130.[6]

In May 2001, the MOD formally issued a request for proposals in regards to the new transport aircraft, referred to as the C-X program; at the time, the MOD planned to procure 40 aircraft to replace its aging Kawasaki C-1 and C-130 Hercules fleets.[2][7] In December 2001, it was announced that Kawasaki Aerospace Company, the aerospace division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, had been selected by the JDA as the prime contractor to develop the C-X.[8][9]

Kawasaki developed the C-X in parallel with the P-X, which it had also been selected to develop. As a cost saving measure, major airframe parts and system components were shared between the two aircraft.[10] They use the same basic wing structure, although it is installed at different sweep angle and dihedral on the two versions, with different high lift devices and powerplant attachments. Common components include the cockpit windows, outer wings, horizontal stabilizer, and other systems. Internal shared parts include the auxiliary power unit, cockpit panel, flight control system computer, anti-collision lights, and gear control unit.[8] As of 2007, the total development cost for the two aircraft has been 345 billion yen (or roughly equal to $2.9 billion), which is low compared to similar programs; for example, the development contract for the Boeing P-8 Poseidon alone was $3.89 billion.[11][12]

Several powerplants were considered for the C-X, including the Rolls-Royce Trent 800, the General Electric CF6-80C2L1F and the Pratt & Whitney PW4000.[13][14] In May 2003, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) announced its support of General Electric's CF6-80C2L1F engine, having formed an arrangement to locally manufacture the powerplant.[15] That same year, the CF6-80C2L1F was selected to power the type. In August 2003, it was announced that the C-X project had passed a preliminary JDA design review, allowing for prototype manufacturing to proceed.[16]

During the construction of the first prototype, there was a problem discovered with some American-made rivets which delayed the roll-out to 4 July 2007 along with its cousin aircraft P-X (since designated as the P-1).[17] During structural testing, deformation of the XP-1 / XC-2 horizontal stabiliser was found, as well as cracking in the XC-2 undercarriage trunnion structure and parts of the fuselage; the cracking problem was reportedly difficult to address.[18] The C-X program was embroiled in further controversy when allegations that bribery had been involved in the purchase of five General Electric CF6-80C2 engines, used to power the aircraft, were made by prosecutors.[18]

In 2008, according to the Chunichi Shimbun, the C-2 was set to cost about 10 billion yen per aircraft (about US$80 million).[19] Postponement of the F-X program and the need to increase funding of the F-15J fleet modernisation program have necessitated the implementation of a one-year delay in the C-X program.[20][21] In 2014, the aircraft was delayed again following the failure of the rear cargo door during pressure tests. The delay will increase the program cost by 40 billion yen ($390 million) to 260 billion yen in addition to delays to the program.[22][23] In March 2016, it was reported that the C-2 program faced delays of five years from its initial schedule due to technical problems, while development costs were then estimated to hit ¥264.3 billion, ¥80 billion more than initially projected.[24]

Kawasaki has also studied the development of a civil-orientated version of the C-2 with ambitions to sell the type to commercial operators. In this variant, tentatively designated as the YC-X, little modification is envisioned from the C-2, making use of transferrable technologies from the military airlifter, although the intended payload is likely to be increased from the C-2's 26-ton maximum to 37-tons.[18] In 2007, it was stated that the development of a civilian derivative of the C-2 has been given a lower priority than the completion of the military airlifter.[25] In late 2012, Kawasaki was in the process of consulting potential customers on the topic of the YC-X for transporting outsize cargo; based upon customer feedback, Kawasaki forecast an estimated demand for up to 100 freighters capable of handling bulky cargoes between 2020 and 2030.[26]

On 27 March 2017, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that development of the C-2 was completed.[27]

Design

The first prototype C-2 in flight, 2014

The Kawasaki C-2 is a long range twin-engine transport aircraft. In comparison with the older C-1 that it replaces, the C-2 can carry payloads up to four times heavier, such as MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries and Mitsubishi H-60 helicopters, and possesses six times the range.[23][24]

The C-2 is being developed to meet the following requirements of the Ministry of Defense: a minimum payload of 26 tonnes, 120 metric ton (264,552 lb 132.275 short ton) take-off weight, ability to takeoff/land on short runways, (Requirement: 500m, almost same as C-1,[28] e.g. Tachikawa—900 m, Kamigoto—800 m, Hateruma—800 m), a maximum payload of 37,600 kg whilst taking off from a 2,300 m Take-off Field Length at a 141 tonnes (310,851 lb 155.42 short ton) take-off weight, ability to fly international airroutes (Requirement: Mach 0.8+; JDA ruled out C-17 as a candidate by its lower cruising speed.[29] Conventional cargo aircraft cannot cruise at optimum altitude on commercial airroutes because of their lower cruising speed and are often assigned to lower altitude by ATC.[30]), in-flight aerial refuelling and forward looking infrared systems.

The C-2 is powered by a pair of General Electric CF6-80C2K turbofan engines.[31] While sharing fuselage components with the Kawasaki P-1, the fuselage of the C-2's is substantially larger to accommodate a vast internal cargo deck, which is furnished with an automated loading/unloading system to reduce workloads on personnel and ground equipment.[8] The forward fuselage and horizontal stabilizer is made of an internally-designed composite material, KMS6115. A tactical flight management system and head-up display is installed to reduce the challenges involved in flying at low altitudes or close to mountainous terrain.[8] The C-2 is equipped with a full glass cockpit, fly-by-wire flight controls, a high-precision navigation system, and self protection systems.[32]

Operational history

Head-on view of a XC-2 (2012)

On 26 January 2010, the maiden flight of the XC-2 took place from Gifu Air Field, Chūbu region, Japan; this first flight was reportedly carried out without any problems occurring. Prior to the first flight, the aircraft was re-designated as the C-2.[33][34] On 30 March 2010, the first aircraft was delivered to the Japanese Ministry of Defence.[35]

On 24 February 2016, 1st prototype "08-1201" was redelivered from reinforced body exchange programme, and 2nd prototype "18-1202" is undergoing the programme from May.[36]

In March 2016, the JASDF announced that the C-2 airlifter had formally entered operational service.[4]

On 30 June 2016, 1st production model "68-1203" was delivered to Air Development and Test Wing at Gifu Air Field.[1]

1st production model "68-1203" and 1st prototype "08-1201" (2016)

On 20 October 2016, the maiden flight of 2nd production model "68-1204" was held.[37]

On 28 March 2017, first three C-2s were dispatched to 403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron at Miho Air Base.[38][39]

In November 2017 a C-2 deployed to the Japan Self-Defense Force Base Djibouti in Africa for the first time.[40][41]

On 6 February 2018, 2nd prototype "18-1202" was converted to "RC-2" as an electronic intelligence platform at Gifu Air Base.[42][43]

Sales efforts

Kawasaki has been reportedly keen to seek sales of the C-2 to overseas customers in addition to the domestic market.[44] In the strategic airlift role, the C-2 is one of only a few aircraft in production that can perform its role; others include the Airbus A400M Atlas and the Ilyushin Il-76, and thus has few competitors on the world market.[45][46] In response to plans by the Japanese government to lower historic defense export restrictions, Kawasaki began actively promoting the C-2 to foreign customers in 2015.[47][48] New Zealand has expressed interest in the aircraft for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and also in the Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft.[49] There have also been discussions regarding exporting the aircraft to the United Arab Emirates.[50][51]

The C-2 appeared at the Dubai Airshow in November 2017.[52][53][54]

In July 2018 a C-2 appeared at the Royal International Air Tattoo.[55][56][57]

Operators

 Japan

Specifications (C-2)

Cockpit of a C-2 (2017)
Main landing gear of a C-2 (2011)
CF6-80C2K1F engine of a C-2 (2014)

Data from Japanese Ministry of Defense[58] Flight International[31] ATLA[59]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

External video
Video of the XC-2's First Flight in 26 January 2010
Footage of XC-2s on the ground and taking off
A C-2 Performing an Airdrop Test, 2015

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Kawasaki Delivers First Mass-produced C-2 Transport Aircraft to JASDF" (Press release). Kawasaki Heavy Industries. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 "平成２１年度ライフサイクルコスト管理年次報告書." Equipment Procurement and Construction Office.
  3. ↑ "次期輸送機試作１号機の初飛行について." Archived 2010-01-28 at the Wayback Machine. Ministry of Defense, 25 January 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Air Self-Defense Force unveils C-2 next-generation transport aircraft". Japan Times. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  5. ↑ Lewis, Paul. "Kawasaki presses JDA for transport-launch cash." Flight International, 18 January 1995.
  6. ↑ Jeziorski, Andrzej. "Japanese fine tune military transport requirement." Flight International, 28 March 2000.
  7. ↑ Doyle, Andrew. "Japan's hopes for CX/MPX commonality fade." Flight International, 26 June 2001.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Sky-High Expectations for Japan’s P-X and C-X Aircraft." Kawasaki Heavy Industries Scope Quarterly Newsletter, No.73. October 2007.
  9. ↑ "Kawasaki to lead the way in C-X/P-X development ." Flight International, 4 December 2001.
  10. ↑ Jeziorski, Andrzej. "Japan unveils plan to develop transport and maritime aircraft." Flight International, 28 November 2000.
  11. ↑ Aviation Week Ares Blog, 27 January 2010.
  12. ↑ ""Boeing Team Wins $3.89 Billion Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft Program." Archived 2004-06-18 at the Wayback Machine. Boeing, 14 May 2004.
  13. ↑ Doyle, Andrew. "JDA studies turbofan for C-X programme." Flight International, 31 December 2002.
  14. ↑ Lewis, Paul. "GE eyes C-5M-type engine for C-X." Flight International, 22 July 2013.
  15. ↑ Sobie, Brendan. "IHI backs GE's CF6 engine proposal." Flight International, 27 May 2003.
  16. ↑ Sobie, Brendan. "C-X, P-X projects enter production." Flight International, 19 August 2003.
  17. ↑ "Production fault hits Kawasaki transport and MPA projects." Flight International, 13 February 2007.
  18. 1 2 3 Govindasamy, Siva. "Kawasaki talks civil." Flight International, 23 September 2008.
  19. ↑ "中日新聞:＜蜜月の終焉＞　ミライズに固執:防衛利権　蜜月の構図." Archived 2009-02-11 at the Wayback Machine., Chunichi Shimbun, 10 November 2007.
  20. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2010-01-26. Japanese Ministry of Defence, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2010-01-26. Japanese Ministry of Defence, 2010.
  22. ↑ Kubo, Nobuhiro (4 July 2014). "Japan again delays C-2 cargo plane, could hamper overseas push". Reuters (Online). Reuters. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  23. 1 2 Pultarova, Tereza. "Japan's new military cargo plane needs re-engineering." Archived 2016-09-10 at the Wayback Machine. Engineering & Technology Magazine, 4 July 2014.
  24. 1 2 "Air Self-Defense Force unveils C-2 next-generation transport aircraft." The Japan Times, 15 March 2016.
  25. ↑ Francis, Leithen. "Japan to make commercial cargo aircraft." Flight International, 4 July 2007.
  26. ↑ Waldron, Greg. "Kawasaki seriously exploring commercial potential of C-2 airlifter." Flight International, 9 October 2012.
  27. ↑ ATLA "次期輸送機（ＸＣ－２）の開発完了について" ATLA', 29 March 2017.
  28. ↑ "Requirements for C-X" Japanese Defense Agency, 2001.
  29. ↑ "次期輸送機（次期固定翼哨戒機及び次期輸送機（その２） 政策評価書（要旨） (Policy assessments for coming transporter aircraft)" Japanese Defense Agency, 2001.
  30. ↑ "防衛省大型機の民間転用構想について (Research for commercializing XC-2 Cargo Aircraft)" Kawasaki Heavy Industries, 23 April 2010.
  31. 1 2 Francis, Leithen. "Japan's test programme for maritime patrol and transport aircraft under way." Flight International, 29 March 2010.
  32. ↑ hikita, Atsushi. "The meaning of JASDF’s airlift operation in Iraq and JASDF’s future challenge." Japan Air Self Defense Force, Retrieved: 3 July 2016.
  33. ↑ "P-X and C-X Test Aircraft Rolled Out." Kawasaki Heavy Industries, 4 July 2007.
  34. ↑ "XC-2 Test Aircraft for Japanese Defense Ministry Completes First Flight." Kawasaki Heavy Industries, 26 January 2010.
  35. ↑ "XC-2 Test Aircraft Delivered to Japanese Defense Ministry." Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
  36. ↑ flyteam, 24 May 2016
  37. ↑ flyteam, 20 October 2016
  38. ↑ The Yomiuri Shimbun "搭載量４倍に、空自次期輸送機「Ｃ２」が初配備" The Yomiuri Shimbun', 29 March 2017.
  39. ↑ Dominguez, Gabriel JASDF deploys C-2 transports to Miho Air Base April 3, 2017 Archived September 22, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Jane's Information Group Retrieved July 22, 2017
  40. ↑ "Ｃ－２による国外運航訓練の実施について" (PDF). mod.go.jp. October 6, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017. (in Japanese)
  41. ↑ facebook.com. November 14, 2017 https://www.facebook.com/jointstaffpa/posts/523867284645231. Retrieved November 15, 2017. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  42. ↑ flyteam, 6 February 2018
  43. ↑ ATLA "次期機上電波測定装置／機上電波測定装置の開発"
  44. ↑ Francis, Leithen. "Japan Eager To Generate Military Exports." Aviation Week, 5 June 2015.
  45. ↑ Aboulafia, Richard. "Opinion: After the C-17, A Tier Of Choices." Aviation Week & Space Technology, 5 October 2015.
  46. ↑ O'Doherty, John. "Military Transport: US Prepares to Lose its Lead on the Heavy Airlifters." Financial Times, 11 November 2011.
  47. ↑ Waldron, Greg. "DUBAI: Kawasaki talks up its aerospace portfolio." Flight International, 8 November 2015.
  48. ↑ Bitzinger, Richard A. "Japan’s disappointing entrée into the global arms market." Archived 2016-06-23 at the Wayback Machine. Asia Times, 20 May 2016.
  49. ↑ "Japan in talks with New Zealand for defense aircraft". Nikkei Asian Review. 2017-01-03.
  50. ↑ "Japan in talks to export defense aircraft to UAE". Nikkei Asian Review. 2017-08-27.
  51. ↑ "UAE reportedly lining up Kawasaki C-2 buy". Jane's 360. 2017-08-29.
  52. ↑ "Japan to show off new heavy lift military plane in search for first overseas arms sale". Jane's 360. 2017-10-06.
  53. ↑ "Japan positions C-2 transport aircraft for exports". Jane's 360. 2017-10-09.
  54. ↑ Najib, Mohammed (14 November 2017). "Dubai Airshow 2017: Japan looks to Gulf for C-2 export sales". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  55. ↑ "Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford". britishairshows.com. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  56. ↑ "英空軍主催国際航空ショー等への参加について" (PDF). mod.go.jp. Japanese Ministry of Defense. July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018. (in Japanese)
  57. ↑ "C-2輸送機、RIATへ参加 カナダ・グリーンウッド基地を経由". flyteam.jp. July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018. (in Japanese)
  58. ↑ "我が国の防衛と予算平成２３年度予算の概要." Japanese Ministry of Defense, Retrieved: 2 July 2016.
  59. 1 2 3 4 5 "C-2 Cargo Aircraft" ATLA, 12 October 2016.
  60. ↑ "Type Certificate Data Sheet: E13NE." Federal Aviation Administration, 6 February 2007.
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