ShinMaywa US-1A

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US-1A

A US-1A at Konoya Museum, Japan
Type Air-sea rescue amphibian
Manufacturer ShinMaywa
Maiden flight 5 October 1967 (PX-S)
Introduction 1971 (PS-1)
Primary user Japan Maritime Self Defence Force
Variants ShinMaywa US-2

The ShinMaywa PS-1 and US-1A (Japanese: 新明和 PS-1, US-1A) are large STOL aircraft designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and air-sea rescue (SAR) work respectively. The PS-1 was a flying boat which carried its own beaching gear on board, while the US-1A is a true amphibian.

In 1960, ShinMaywa (then Shin Meiwa) demonstrated a prototype flying boat, the UF-XS that featured a novel boundary layer control system to provide enhanced STOL performance. The company also built upon its wartime experience (as Kawanishi) to refine the Grumman Albatross hull that the aircraft was based on. In 1966, the JMSDF awarded the company a contract to further develop these ideas into an ASW patrol aircraft. Two prototypes were built under the designation PS-X and flight tests began on October 5, 1967, leading to an order for production under the designation PS-1 in 1969.

Apart from the boundary layer control system (powered by an independent gas turbine carried in the fuselage), the aircraft had a number of other innovative features, including a system to suppress spray during water handling, and directing the exhaust from the aircraft's four turboprop engines over its wings to create yet more lift. Between 1971 and 1978, the JMSDF ordered 21 of these aircraft, and operated them until 1989 when they were phased out and replaced with P-3 Orions. The small production run resulted in an extremely high unit-cost for these aircraft, and the programme was politically controversial.

The PS-1 had not been in service long before the JMSDF requested the development of a search-and-rescue variant. The deletion of the PS-1's military equipment allowed for greater fuel capacity, workable landing gear, and rescue equipment. The new variant, the US-1A, could also quickly be converted for troop-carrying duties. First flown on October 15, 1974, it was accepted into service the following year, and eventually 19 aircraft were purchased. From the seventh aircraft on, an uprated version of the original engine was used, but all aircraft were eventually modified to this US-1A standard. The US-1A's first rescue was from a Greek vessel in 1976. Between that time and 1999, US-1As had been used in over 500 rescues, saving 550 lives.

With the US-1A fleet beginning to show its age, the JMSDF attempted to obtain funding for a replacement in the 1990s, but could not obtain enough to develop an entirely new aircraft. Therefore, in 1995, ShinMaywa began plans for an upgraded version of the US-1A, the US-1A kai (US-1A 改 - "improved US-1A"). This aircraft features numerous aerodynamic refinements, a pressurised hull, and more powerful Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engines. Flight tests began on December 18, 2003. It is expected that the JMSDF may eventually purchase up to 14 of these aircraft, to enter service around 2007 as ShinMaywa US-2.

Contents

[edit] Operators

[edit] Specifications (US-1A)

General characteristics

  • Crew: nine (pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, navigator, radio operator, radar operator, two observers)
  • Capacity: 20 survivors or 12 stretchers
  • Length: 33.46 m (109 ft 9 in)
  • Wingspan: 33.15 m (108 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 9.82 m (32 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 136 m² (1,463 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 25,500 kg (56,220 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 45,000 kg (99,200 lb)
  • Powerplant: 4× General Electric T64 (Ishikawajima 10J) turboprops, 2,603 kW (3,490 hp) each

Performance

Avionics

  • Ocean search radar

[edit] References

[edit] See also

Related development

Comparable aircraft

Related lists

[edit] External links

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