TYPE: Medium transport/multirole (C-X); maritime reconnaissance four-jet (P-X).
PROGRAMME: Initial development funding of ¥5.3 billion in FY01; RFP issued in May 2001. Foreign proposals for C-X included Airbus A310, Boeing C-17 and Lockheed Martin C-130J, but Kawasaki selected by JDA on 27 November 2001 to lead development of an indigenous design to meet both C-X and P-X requirements, with optimum degree of structural commonality; Fuji and Mitsubishi will be involved in programme, which could also lead to a 100- to 150-seat civil transport version for production post-2010. Two-year design phase to begin in 2003, with prototype/preproduction development following from 2005; first flights targeted for 2006 (P-X) and 2007 (C-X); engineering and operational testing until 2009 for P-X, 2010 for C-X; service entry 2011 and 2012 respectively.
CURRENT VERSIONS: C-X: To fulfil long-standing JASDF FY requirement to replace current Kawasaki C-1A fleet with a transport of increased range and payload capacity. Desired features include a twin-turbofan power plant and a payload approximately double that of the Lockheed Martin C-130; earlier need for secondary aerial tanker capability no longer applicable. According to JDA's Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) in late 2000, design parameters include high-mounted wing, rear-loading ramp/door, digital AFCS and 'glass cockpit' avionics; outer wing, flight deck and tail unit to be common with those of JMSDF's P-X. Engine RFP issued by TRDI 16 December 2002; selection expected mid-2003.
P-X: Outer wing, flight deck and tail unit as for C-X, but different fuselage cross-section, and wing to be low-mounted, carrying four (lower-powered) engines instead of two; AFCS to be fly-by-flight as protection against electromagnetic interference (EMT).
CUSTOMERS: Approximately 44 C-Xs required by JASDF, to replace C-1As and C-130Hs; JMSDF needs about 80 P-Xs to replace Kawasaki (Lockheed Martin) P-3C fleet.
Following details are provisional:
POWER PLANT: Two 222 to 267 kN (50,000 to 60,000 lb st) turbofans in C-X; P-X would have four 49 to 67 kN (11,000 to 15,000 lb st) class turbofans. TRDI and IHI developing the XF7-10 53,4kN (12,000 lb st) class engine as possible candidate for P-X; candidates for C-X expected to include GE CF6-80C2, PW4000 and Trent 500.
AVIONICS: Not yet specified; awaiting outcome in 2004 of joint MMA study with US Navy.
