Japan unveils new antisubmarine patrol planes

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CWOJackson

Charter Member
TOKYO, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) received the first two of a fleet of next generation P-1 antisubmarine patrol aircraft on Tuesday, with the planes scheduled to be deployed at Atsugi Air Base in Kanagawa Prefecture later this month, local media reported.


The official delivery ceremony held earlier in the day in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, heralds the beginning of the JMSDF's plans to acquire seven of the high-tech planes to be deployed by March 2014 and a total of 70 P-1s in the long-run, officials said.


The P-1s, designed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. in cooperation with the Defense Ministry, will replace the current over 80 aging P-3 Orion patrol planes used by the JMSDF.


The new planes will undergo two years of operation flight testing, before being fully deployed on patrol duties, officials said.
The P-1 development started in 2001 and planed to finish in March 2012. The process was delayed for one year due to cracks found in its wings and bodies.


View attachment 84089
 
Endurance may not be as critical to Japan with a shorter coastline and closer spacing of bases.
Shorter missions also mean less need for relief crews and their "needs" thus a smaller package.
Wouldn't be surprised to see it has a loiter capability with 2 engines throttled back or shut down.

Nice looking bird (esp. compared to a Nimrod :icon_lol: ) and I can't help the visual comparison to something from history
View attachment 84095
 
<big>Wikipedia

General characteristics</big>


<big>Performance</big>

<big>Armament</big>


  • Bombs: 20,000+ lb (9,000+ kg)
  • Missiles: AGM-84 Harpoon, ASM-1C, AGM-65 Maverick
  • Sonobuoys: 30+ Pre-loaded, 70+ Deployable from inside
  • Other: MK-46 and Type 97 and new(G-RX5) torpedoes, mines, depth charges
<big>Avionics</big>


  • Radar: Toshiba, Active Electronically Scanned Array radar system
  • Sonar: NEC, multi-static sound navigation system sound
  • Anti-submarine systems:SHINKO ELECTRIC CO.LTD., Advanced combat direction system
  • Other: Mitsubishi, Electronic countermeasures (CMD, RWR, MWS, ESM)
 
  • Cruise speed: 833 km/h (450 knots, 516 mph)
  • Range: 8,000 km (4,320 nm, 4,970 mi)

Even if it was likely that those represent 4320 nm AT 450 kts, it still represents a 9 hour endurance which is pretty good.
I'd be surprised, however, if they were doing ASW work routinely at 450 Kts unless they were doing it from FL300 or above. That would some fancy MAD gear they've developed.

Here's the Wiki numbers for the P-3

  • Range: 2,380 nmi radius[SUP][/SUP] (4,400 km)
  • Combat radius: 1,346 nm[SUP][/SUP] (2,490 km) three hours on-station at 1,500 feet
  • Ferry range: 4,830 nm[SUP][/SUP] (8,944 km)
  • Endurance: 16 hours[SUP][/SUP]

there are a couple of nice shots of the test aircraft here: http://nycaviation.com/forum/thread...sance-aircraft?p=387473&viewfull=1#post387473

Be interesting to see what an export version would cost compared to a P-8 Poseidon
 
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