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The Kawasaki C-2 transport plane was
displayed on the international stage for the first time at Dubai Airshow, Nov.
12, 2017. (Jeff Martin/Staff)
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By: Valerie Insinna
DUBAI — Japan showcased its new Kawasaki C-2 transport
aircraft for the first time amid an international crowd at the Dubai Airshow.
The air show, which runs from Nov. 12 to 16, is Japan’s
first big opportunity to garner foreign interest for the C-2, which was
developed and made in Japan by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
“Our potential overseas customers know the C-2 from the
internet or from its catalogue, so this is the first time to see the actual
aircraft,” Col. Tokukazu Omine, the C-2 program manager for the Japan Air Self
Defense Force told Defense News in a Nov 12 interview. “The best way to
understand the aircraft is actually seeing it, so we hope for everyone to learn
more about the C-2 through this airshow.”
The C-2 is the most high-profile aircraft making its
international debut at the show, which typically emphasizes commercial
aviation.
The plane, which is powered by twin CF6-80CK1F turbofan
engines, was designed be a more powerful alternative to Lockheed Martin’s C-130
Hercules, which is operated by the JASDF but was not meeting the country’s
airlift requirements, Omine said.
Japan’s ministry of defense has spent about 260 billion
yen ($2.3 billion in U.S. dollars) in development costs on the program, and is
under contract for 11 aircraft — although Omine said Japan currently plans to
buy about 20 planes. Since March, Kawasaki has delivered three aircraft to the
JASDF, with a fourth plane coming this month.
Japan is in talks with several potential customers about
the C-2, said Omine, who declined to say which countries or regions have shown
interest. The Japanese MOD and Kawasaki believe the C-2 could compete in the
same market as Lockheed Martin’s C-130 and Airbus A400M, and New Zealand and
the United Arab Emirates are rumored to be interested in the aircraft.
The JASDF is paying about 20 billion yen, or $176 million
U.S. dollars, per aircraft. However, Omine noted the costs would be different
for international customers based on the configuration of the aircraft and the
volume of the procurement.
The C-2 is the largest plane ever developed by a Japanese
aircraft firm. It can travel a distance of 4,500 kilometers while carrying its
maximum payload of 36 tons in its cargo bay, and can hit max speeds of about
0.82 Mach, according to the Japanese ministry of defense.
The program wrapped up developmental tests in March, and
has begun operational testing.
Omine could not provide data about the number of fight
hours clocked by the aircraft or give insight about how the aircraft have been
used operationally since delivery, but said the JASDF has been satisfied with
the aircraft.
Original post: defensenews.com
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