Kawasaki C-2 Transport
Kawasaki XC-2 is an advanced military transport aircraft designed and being manufactured by Japan-based Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). The aircraft is suitable for military as well as commercial transport. It is being built to meet the requirements of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
The XC-2 is derived from the Kawasaki C-1 transport aircraft. Approximately 40 XC-2s are scheduled to be manufactured initially.
Kawasaki has built two prototypes of the XC-2. The maiden flight of the first prototype took place at Kakamigahara in Gifu Prefecture in January 2010. The prototype was delivered to the JASDF in March 2010.
The second prototype completed its maiden flight in January 2011. It was delivered to the JASDF in March 2011.
The aircraft can transport troops, drop supplies and undertake medical evacuation during the day and night, even in hostile environments.
Design and avionics of the advanced military transport aircraft
The XC-2 has been designed to take-off and land on unprepared airstrips or short runways such as grass, snow and mud. The 43.9m long, 44.4m wide and 14.2m high XC-2 features a high wing monoplane design.
"Kawasaki has built two prototypes of the XC-2. The maiden flight of the first prototype took place at Kakamigahara in Gifu Prefecture in January 2010."
The aircraft has a glassed-in nose, a pressurised flight deck, cargo hold and a rear loading ramp, which can open in-flight.
The aircraft has cockpit panel and windows, a horizontal stabiliser, an auxiliary power unitand anti-collision light and gear control unit.
The tricycle type landing gear includes low pressure tyres and disc brakes. The aircraft can carry 20 A-22 containers or eight 463L pallets in its cargo compartment.
Integration of advanced technologies provides the XC-2 with faster and superior cruise, greater flight range, heavier payload and spacious cargo compartments, compared to the C-1 aircraft.
The avionics suite installed in the XC-2 includes tactical flight management system, in-flight refuelling facility and night vision system. The aircraft is also equipped with an automatic loading and unloading system for handling cargo.
Turbofan engines and performance of Kawasaki Heavy Industries's XC-2
The XC-2 is powered by two GE CF6-80C2K1F engines designed and manufactured by General Electric Aviation. Each engine can produce a maximum of 266kN thrust.
It is equipped with a single fan, four-stage low pressure and 14-stage high pressure axial compressor, five-stage low pressure turbine, dual stage high pressure turbine and annular combustor.
The engine is 4.26m long and 2.69m in diameter. The dry weight of the engine varies between 4,300kg and 4,472kg.
The XC-2 can fly at a maximum speed of 890km/h. The maximum and ferry ranges of the aircraft are 6,500km and 10,000km respectively. The service ceiling is 12,200m.