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February 19, 2009

ShinMaywa delivers first production type of "US-2" STOL Search and Rescue Amphibians to Japan's Ministry of Defense

ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd. (President and CEO: Tadashi Kaneki) announced today that on February 19, 2009 it completed delivery of the first production type (third including prototypes) of "US-2" STOL Search and Rescue Amphibians to the Ministry of Defense of Japan.

A successor to the "US-1A" STOL Search and Rescue Amphibian, the "US-2" is an aircraft capable of taking off from and landing on water and on the ground.

Following the signing of a contract with the Ministry of Defense in fiscal 2005, the first production type has been completed by making partial design changes to the prototype model based on the findings of a two-year-long engineering and service test conducted by the ministry. With full-scale production beginning in April 2007, the first flight test was made in December 2008.
Unlike the prototype, which was painted either red or blue on white, the first production type is distinguished by its base color of navy-blue.
Having been appointed as a prime contractor for the then Defense Agency's project to develop a new amphibian in 1996, we set about remodeling our flagship search and rescue amphibian at that time to further advance its performance with focus on improving: 1. its search and rescue capabilities in open sea; 2. flight controllability during take-off from and landing on water; and 3. patient transport conditions. After a successful first flight in December 2003, the first prototype was delivered to the Ministry of Defense in March 2004, followed by the second prototype in December of that same year.

Test Flight of US-2 STOL Search and Rescue Amphibian (First Production Type)
Test Flight of US-2 STOL Search and Rescue Amphibian (First Production Type)
1. Features of the US-2
1. Computerized fly-by-wire flight control system
2. Pressurized cabin
3. Greater power achieved through replacement of main engine
4. Integrated instrument panel (glass cockpit)
5. Lightweight main wing, spray suppressor, and wing tip float
2. Key Specifications
1. Overall length: 33.25m
2. Overall width: 33.15m
3. Overall height: 9.8m (10.1m with antenna)
4. Maximum speed: 315 Kt (approx. 580 Km/h)
5. Cruising altitude: 20,000 ft (approx. 6,100 m)
6. Cruising range: Approx.4,700 km