New Maritime Patrol Aircraft to be Deployed at Atsugi Base in March

from various souces

Japan’s Defense Ministry announced on March 12 to local authorities around Atsugi Base of Maritime Self Defense Force (Kanagawa Pref.)  that the ministry would station new jet-powered patrol aircraft P-1 within the month of March as its development had been completed.  Amid the tension at the seas around Japan getting arising, the ministry decided the new aircraft is most suitable as a sign of more alert as P-1 is exceeding conventional patrol plance, P-3C, in terms of speed and range.

P-1 is all domestc developed aircraft to succeed P-3C; the ministry told first two examples would be deployed at the base in March, then to be incresed to a total of 12 by the end of fiscal 2016 and finally 20 for more intensified watch and patrol at the southwest sea territory and other areas.

Development  of P-1 had started since 2001 but it was delayed for about one year for cracks found in its wings and fuselage. Kawasaki Heavy Industries is mafucturing the aircraft with unit price of JPY20 billion or around $200 million.

Maritime Self Defense Force would employ the first aircraft for operational test flight at first.

Powered by four XF7-10 turbofan by IHI, P-1 is medium-class aircraft and the defense ministry would procure a total of 70 plus aircraft to replace aging 80 P-3C fleet. JMSDF justifies the smaller number of the new P-1 fleet as it could fly and reach the target area faster.

Its flight control has adopted flight by light (FBL) system consisting of fiber optics to avoid interference to on-board sensors and other electronics. Practically the very first case of use FBL, the aircraft gets lighter weight of wiring and smaller power consumption while flying.

The aircraft was developed concurrently with XC-2 medium-sized two-engine military airlift  by the same contractor, sharing 75 % of airborne systems by unit, saving JPY 25 billion.

Specifications

Crew: 2 pilots and 11 operators

Length: 124 ft

Height: 39 ft

Wingspan: 114 ft

Take-off weight: 80 t

Powerplant: F7-IHI-10 turbofan, 13,500 lb x4

Performance

Max speed:    538 kt

Cruise speed:    450 kt

Range:         4,320 nmi

Armament

Air-to-Ship missile, torpedos, anti-sub bombs for a total of over

20,000 lb