Japan's defence ministry has taken delivery of Kawasaki Heavy Industries' prototype XP-1 maritime patrol aircraft for a long-term programme of test and evaluation activities. Flown for the first time in 2007, the demonstrator has completed an initial 11-month phase of testing by its prime contractor, which expects to build 70 production P-1s to replace Japan's KHI/Lockheed Martin P-3C Orions. The Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries XF-7 turbofan-powered XP-1 will now enter flight test and evaluation by the defence ministry's Technical Research and Development Institute and Japanese navy at the latter's Atsugi air base. Flight testing is expected to continue until the end of fiscal year 2015.
The XP-1 is powered by four 11,200lb-thrust Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries XF7-10 turbofans. Wing span is 38m, length 35m and maximum take-off weight 80,000kg, making it similar in size to Boeing’s 737-sized P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Powered by two 63,500lb-thrust General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofans, the C-X will replace the Japan Air Self-Defence Force’s Kawasaki C-1 tactical transports. A modified C-1 has been used as a flying testbed for the XF7 engine.
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