We would like to introduce the history of “flying boats,” a key product of the Aircraft Division.


The Beginning:
Kawanishi Machinery Company, our company’s predecessor, had designed and manufactured a number of seaplanes and flyingboats prior to the war. After the ban on aircraft manufacturing was lifted in the aftermath of the war, development began on a new type of flying boat in an effort to address the shortcoming of existing flying boats, namely, their susceptibility to waves.


Late 1950s - 1960s:
Having developed a groove-type spray suppressor and a high-lift device, which enable safe takeoff and landing even in rough seas, we conducted demonstration tests using an American-made aircraft upon completion of the basic design. Confident in the results, we concluded a contract with the (former) Defense Agency for the development of a new flying boat.


1970s - 1980s:
After many flight tests, the new amphibian was officially adopted for use by the Maritime Self-Defense Force. Dubbed the PS-1 Aircraft, it operated as an anti-submarine patrol aircraft. During this period, we also delivered the first commercial model of the US-1 STOL Search and Rescue Amphibian, an amphibian that could take off and land on both water and land, to the Japan Defense Agency. We had been developing this aircraft in parallel for use in maritime rescue operations. We also later worked on an improved version of this aircraft, the US-1A Search and Rescue Amphibian (hereafter the US-1A).


1990s onward:
It was decided that ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd. would modify the US-1A, with itself serving as main contractor. After a development process comparable in difficulty to the development of a new aircraft, we successfully completed the maiden flight in the early 2000s. This aircraft was named the US-2 STOL Search and Rescue Amphibian, and it is still widely used today for logistical support and rescue operations.