Japan's first of 14 planned KHI-01 airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) and Antarctic survey helicopters has conducted a 30min flight debut from AgustaWestland's Yeovil manufacturing site in the UK. The aircraft - a variant of the multi-role EH101 - will be shipped to Japan late this year for modification by partner company Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). KHI will assemble the Japanese Defence Agency's remaining 13 aircraft at its Gifu site and will also integrate the fleet's mission equipment, including defensive aids systems and radios. The first locally-assembled aircraft will be delivered to the Japanese navy next year, with assembly expected to be up to two a year. Japan has so far placed production orders for three KHI-01s.
Source: Flight International