https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ShinMaywa_US-2
The ShinMaywa US-2 is a Japanese large STOL amphibious aircraft designed for
air-sea rescue (ASR) work. Operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force,
the US-2 is scheduled to replace the older Shin Meiwa US-1A in Japanese service.
It can be used as fire fighter taking 15 tonnes of water.
With the Shin Meiwa US-1A fleet introduced in the 1970s beginning to reach the
end of its service life, 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 (as Shin Meiwa was by then renamed) began plans
for an upgraded version of the US-1A, the US-1A kai (US-1A ? - "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. The JMSDF purchased up to 14 of these aircraft, which entered
service as the ShinMaywa US-2.
Role
Air-sea rescue amphibian
Manufacturer
ShinMaywa
First flight
18 December 2003
Introduction
30 March 2007
Status
in production
Primary user
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force
Produced
Number built
4 (3 expected)
Developed from
ShinMaywa US-1A
The aircraft is currently operated by the 31st Fleet Air Wing (71st Air Force,
71st Flight Squadron) at Iwakuni air base and Atsugi air base.
In April 2015 aircraft 9905 was involved in an accident. The aircraft was on a
training mission near Cape Ashizuri in Shikoku and four crew members were
injured. Six US-2s had been delivered by November 2018, with a further 2 in
production.
aircraft at a cost of US$1.65 billion. It is expected that these amphibious
aircraft will be stationed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In October 2016,
ShinMaywa reduced the price to around US$113 million per aircraft. There were
expectations that a contract for the order would be signed in November 2016, but
it was deferred by the Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar. In March 2018,
Japanese ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu told The Hindu Business Line that
talks were still in progress.
There have also been reports that Thailand is interested in purchasing the
aircraft.
Indonesia is another prospective customer.
Following deadly fires in the Attica Region of Greece in July 2018, the Greek
government reportedly seeks to order US-2 to replace their aging firefighting
fleet.
Specifications (US-2)
General characteristics
Crew: 11
Capacity: 20 passengers or 12 stretchers
Length: 33.46 m (109 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 33.15 m (108 ft 9 in)
Height: 9.8 m (32 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 135.8 m2 (1,462 sq ft)
Empty weight: 25,630 kg (56,504 lb)
Gross weight: 43,000 kg (94,799 lb) water take-off
Max takeoff weight: 47,700 kg (105,160 lb) land take-off
kW (1,364 hp)
Propellers: 6-bladed Dowty R414
Performance
Maximum speed: 560 km/h (348 mph; 302 kn)
Cruise speed: 480 km/h (298 mph; 259 kn) at 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
Range: 4,700 km (2,920 mi; 2,538 nmi)
Service ceiling: 7,195 m (23,606 ft)
Takeoff distance on ground at MTOW: 490 m (1,610 ft)
Landing distance on ground at MTOW: 1,500 m (4,900 ft)
Takeoff distance on water at Loaded weight: 280 m (920 ft)
Landing distance on water at Loaded weight: 330 m (1,080 ft)
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