Date: 10 Mar 2004
Time: 22:24
The US-1A Kai aircraft, manufactured by ShinMaywa of Japan, completed its first flight in December 2003 in Kobe, Japan. The US-1A Kai is being developed by ShinMaywa to provide an enhanced search-and-rescue capability for Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force. The first flight marked the start of an intensive flight test programme that will demonstrate the capability of the aircraft and its propulsion systems.
This latest version of ShinMaywa's seaplane family is powered by four Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprop engines. A CTS800-4K engine produced by LHTEC, a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Honeywell, is also fitted to the aircraft to drive the boundary layer control system that provides the US-1A Kai with a short take-off and landing (STOL) capability.
Date: 02 Apr 2003
Time: 23:05