Aircraft

Kawasaki Heavy Industries flew the XP-1 maritime patrol aircraft for the first time on 28 September. The four-jet aircraft, formerly called the P-X, made the hour-long flight from Gifu airbase in Japan.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force plans to buy 80 P-1s to replace its Kawasaki-manufactured Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

Kawasaki is also developing the C-X tactical transport, which shares common systems with the XP-1. Structural issues have delayed the C-X's first flight to the end of 2007.

The XP-1 is powered by four 11,200lb-thrust Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries XF7-10 turbofans. Wing span is 38m, length 35m and maximum take-off weight 80,000kg, making it similar in size to Boeing’s 737-sized P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Powered by two 63,500lb-thrust General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofans, the C-X will replace the Japan Air Self-Defence Force’s Kawasaki C-1 tactical transports. A modified C-1 has been used as a flying testbed for the XF7 engine.