Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft will make its international debut at the Royal Inter...
Two examples of P-1 aircraft, one in the static park and the other in the flying display, will take part in the airshow.
The P-1 was developed to replace the Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol platforms operated by the JMSDF, with increased payload, range and on station time.
The maiden flight of the XP-1 prototype was completed at Gifu Air Base in September 2007. Service entry of the production P-1 model commenced during 2013.
UK is currently debating introduction of MPA, since the early retirement of the BAE Systems Nimrod MR2 MPA fleet in 2010 and cancellation of the follow on Nimrod MRA4 program. UK is need of a MPA due to increased tension with Russia.
Given the size of Japan’s territorial waters and the number of islands under its jurisdiction, long-range maritime patrol in defence of the country’s interests is a very important role.
The P-1 has a maximum range somewhere in the region of approximately 8,000 kms or 4,300 nautical miles and is equipped with advanced Toshiba HPS-106 active electronically-scanned array maritime search radar for its primary mission.
Weapons are carried on underwing and wing root-mounted hardpoints and in a capacious weapons bay, those employed by the P-1 including the AGM-84 Harpoon missile, AGM-65 Maverick missile, torpedoes, mines and depth charges.
With a normal weight of 80 ton, the P-1 is powered by four Japanese made IHI F7-10 turbofans with a approx thrust of 13,000 lb each.
A major innovation is the use of fly-by-light controls, this being the first operational aircraft in the world so fitted. On board for a typical sortie are three flight crew and eight mission system operators.
