New Transport C-2 : Two More Years For Deployment As Lack of Fuselage Strength Found
Compiled from Jiji Press 4 July and otter sources
Ministry of Defense decided to put off deployment of the new transport, originally set at the 1st quarter of 2015, for two more years later. A C-2 test aircraft failed to sustain its fuselage during pressurizing test when its cargo door came off. The ministry said on July 4 that the accident was caused by a laas stateck of strength at aft frames and the pressure concentrated on that weak portion causing its breaking off of the test aircraft. As the specifications of that part has been changed for production aircraft, this case does not call for redesign but as retesting is needed accordinng to the ministry.
The ministry also stated that it was critically serious case and cannot help but seeing its impact on the deployment. Retesting and other processes are estimated to cost about 40 billion yen (USD 400 million )additional budget. Total cost of C-2, then, will be expanded to JPY 260 billion.
It was learned on July 5 that the Defense Ministry had requested assistance of a professor at the University of Tokyo for investigation of the true causes but the university rejected as this request was judged against the U of T principle that prohibits any ‘military work’ by the university. Defense Ministry is asking Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology that supervises all universities in Japan but Education Ministry is not expecting the university to accept defense request for autonomy of a university principle. However, the professor joined an analytical team at the Defense Ministry in his private capacity, raising a question of the effectiveness of the university’s principles.
Two XC-2s in Flight Formation
Credit: Tech. Research & Development Institute, Ministry of Defense
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