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Japan’s New Wings - The US-2 Amphibian Aircraft
Unrivaled water surface takeoff and landing capability Providing access to distant islands and remote disaster areas Operations in large-scale fire disasters
The US-2 Amphibian Aircraft - A new beginning and future

The lifesaving operations of the US-1A have produced numerous achievements. The US-1A Kai - now the US-2 - STOL Search and Rescue Amphibian aircraft was developed by enhancing the capabilities of the US-1A.

The US-1A has been completely renewed by the application of a wide range of new technologies - glass cockpit, fly-by-wire flight control system, pressurized cabin, and high-powered engines of the newest design. The US-2 retains the great seaworthiness and the other excellent capabilities of its predecessor, the US-1A.

The US-2 is expected to play an even more active role.

The following is an explanation of the features and capabilities of the new aircraft.
US-2 (US-1A Kai) Introductory Video
US-2 (US-1A Kai) Introductory Video
Specifications
ShinMaywa Flying Boats - The Beginning

ShinMaywa’ predecessor company, Kawanishi Aircraft Company, began the production of flying boats in 1931. Later, Kawanishi Aircraft applied innovations developed in Japan to produce and deploy flying boats .The high point of development was reached by the company with the Kawanishi H8K aircraft - known as the Type 2 Flying Boat. This aircraft was considered the worlds’ best performing flying boat that performed on a par with land-based aircraft.
For a long time after the war, development of aircraft was not allowed in Japan. In 1953, ShinMaywa resumed aircraft development and, from then on, produced the UF-XS, PS-1, US-1 and US-1A, and the US-1A Kai - which was designated the US-2. With its independently developed proprietary amphibian technology, ShinMaywa has become a world leader in the production of flying boat aircraft.

Type 2 Flying Boat, 1940   PS-1, 1967   US-1/US-1A, 1974
Type 2 Flying Boat, 1940 PS-1, 1967 US-1/US-1A, 1974
At the time, this flying boat was considered the world's most advanced of its kind and was active in patrols, reconnaissance and transport for the Imperial Japanese Navy.   This flying boat had revolutionary water takeoff and landing performance and could operate on rough seas with three-meter high waves.   Possessing the superior seaworthiness of its predecessor, the PS-1, the US-1A amphibian aircraft is active in maritime rescues and is capable of takeoff and landing on both land and sea.
Unrivaled water surface takeoff and landing capabilityProviding access to distant islands and remote disaster areasOperations in large-scale fire disasters