Kawasaki Heavy Industries to manufacture helicopter airframes and engines locally for JDA order
Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) is preparing to begin assembly of the AgustaWestland EH101 helicopter and accompanying Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engine next year.
The first of 14 aircraft for the Japan Defence Agency (JDA) is scheduled to be delivered next July to Nagoya, where it will be assembled by KHI and delivered to the Japanese navy in March 2006. KHI says this aircraft - being manufactured in the UK - will be delivered with European-produced engines.
But starting with the second aircraft, the airframe and engines will both be manufactured by KHI. It expects to receive a contract in the current fiscal year to produce the RTM322, authorising the start of this production line next year. KHI says the first locally produced aircraft and engines will be delivered in 2007.
The JDA selected the three-engine EH101 last year for a 14-aircraft requirement, including 11 for the navy's mine countermeasures mission and three for Antarctic support tasks. So far only one aircraft has been acquired for mine countermeasures, but two more - one for mine countermeasures and one for Antarctica - are expected to be acquired in the fiscal year ending 31 March 2005. Another aircraft for the Antarctic mission is in Japan's proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning 1 April 2005.
KHI plans to produce one to two EH101s a year. Besides the original 14 aircraft, KHI hopes to sell a further 21 for a future naval search-and-rescue requirement.
BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International