ShinMaywa US-1A

Infobox Aircraft
name = US-1A
type = Air-sea rescue amphibian
manufacturer = ShinMaywa

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caption = A US-1A at Konoya Museum, Japan
designer =
first flight = 5 October 1967 (PX-S)
introduction = 1971 (PS-1)
retired =
status =
primary user = Japan Maritime Self Defence Force
more users =
produced =
number built =
unit cost =
variants with their own articles = ShinMaywa US-2

The ShinMaywa PS-1 and US-1A (Japanese: 新明和 PS-1, US-1A) are large STOL aircraft designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and air-sea rescue (SAR) work respectively. The PS-1 was a flying boat which carried its own beaching gear on board, while the US-1A is a true amphibian.

In 1960, ShinMaywa (then Shin Meiwa) demonstrated a prototype flying boat, the UF-XS that featured a novel boundary layer control system to provide enhanced STOL performance. The company also built upon its wartime experience (as Kawanishi) to refine the Grumman Albatross hull that the aircraft was based on. In 1966, the JMSDF awarded the company a contract to further develop these ideas into an ASW patrol aircraft. Two prototypes were built under the designation PS-X and flight tests began on October 5 1967, leading to an order for production under the designation PS-1 in 1969.

Apart from the boundary layer control system (powered by an independent gas turbine carried in the fuselage), the aircraft had a number of other innovative features, including a system to suppress spray during water handling, and directing the exhaust from the aircraft's four turboprop engines over its wings to create yet more lift. Between 1971 and 1978, the JMSDF ordered 21 of these aircraft, and operated them until 1989 when they were phased out and replaced with P-3 Orions. The small production run resulted in an extremely high unit-cost for these aircraft, and the programme was politically controversial.

The PS-1 had not been in service long before the JMSDF requested the development of a search-and-rescue variant. The deletion of the PS-1's military equipment allowed for greater fuel capacity, workable landing gear, and rescue equipment. The new variant, the US-1A, could also quickly be converted for troop-carrying duties. First flown on October 15 1974, it was accepted into service the following year, and eventually 19 aircraft were purchased. From the seventh aircraft on, an uprated version of the original engine was used, but all aircraft were eventually modified to this US-1A standard. The US-1A's first rescue was from a Greek vessel in 1976. Between that time and 1999, US-1As had been used in over 500 rescues, saving 550 lives.

With the US-1A fleet beginning to show its age, the JMSDF attempted to obtain funding for a replacement in the 1990s, but could not obtain enough to develop an entirely new aircraft. Therefore, in 1995, ShinMaywa began plans for an upgraded version of the US-1A, the US-1A "kai" (US-1A 改 - "improved US-1A"). This aircraft features numerous aerodynamic refinements, a pressurised hull, and more powerful Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engines. Flight tests began on December 18 2003. It is expected that the JMSDF may eventually purchase up to 14 of these aircraft, to enter service around 2007 as ShinMaywa US-2.

Operators

* : Japan Maritime Self Defence Force

pecifications (US-1A)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
ref=
crew=nine (pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, navigator, radio operator, radar operator, two observers)
capacity=20 survivors or 12 stretchers
payload main=
payload alt=
length main= 33.46 m
length alt= 109 ft 9 in
span main= 33.15 m
span alt= 108 ft 9 in
height main= 9.82 m
height alt= 32 ft 3 in
area main= 136 m²
area alt= 1,463 ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 25,500 kg
empty weight alt= 56,220 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main= 45,000 kg
max takeoff weight alt= 99,200 lb

engine (prop)= General Electric T64 (Ishikawajima 10J)
type of prop=turboprops
number of props=4
power main= 2,603 kW
power alt= 3,490 hp
power original=
more general=

max speed main=495 km/h
max speed alt= 310 mph
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
range main= 4,200 km
range alt= 2,610 miles
ceiling main= 8,200 m
ceiling alt= 27,000 ft
climb rate main= 713 m/min
climb rate alt= 2,340 ft/min
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=
armament=
avionics=
* Ocean search radar

References

ee also

aircontent
related=
* ShinMaywa US-2

similar aircraft=
* Harbin SH-5
* Beriev Be-12
* Lockheed P5M Marlin

sequence=

lists=
* List of military aircraft of Japan
* List of flying boats

see also=

External links

* [http://www.shinmaywa.co.jp/english/products/aircraft.htm ShinMaywa aircraft page]