The US-2 is the world's only amphibian aircraft that can take off and land on ocean surfaces with high waves. In this issue, we will introduce the UF-XS, an experimental flying boat that became the cornerstone of this high performance.

Kawanishi Aircraft Company, the predecessor of ShinMaywa Industries, manufactured numerous flying boats  before and during World War Two with Mr. Shizuo Kikuhara, who was in charge of design at the time. After the war, the U.S. Navy examined Kawanishi H8K ”Emily”, which was a compilation of technologies, and was amazed at its high performance. While, under the leadership of Mr. Kikuhara, ShinMaywa Industries established a series of elemental technologies to realize flying boats that can cross a raging sea for the new era. The leaders of the U.S. Navy noticed these achievements and invited Mr. Kikuhara to a meeting. This event led to the provision of the UF-1 Albatross to Japan. The UF-XS is the experimental flying boat that was largely remodeled at the Konan Plant.

To take off and land in raging sea, the engine and propeller must not be damaged even when water is splashing high. Therefore, the BLC system that reduces the velocity when taking off and landing on the water, and the groove-type spray suppressor that keep splashes low were installed. The modified aircraft was longer, wider, and higher than the UF-1 Albatross. The number of engines was increased from two to four and completely new vertical and horizontal tail fins were installed. The "magical modifications" are such that it is hard to tell what is a prototype at first glance.

The completed UF-XS made its first successful flight in December 1962 and demonstrated its expected performance in the subsequent test flight. The dawn of a new era for amphibian aircraft. The BLC mechanism, spray suppressor, and other technologies established for the UF-XS has been passed down to the US-2.