Home > Aircraft > Kawasaki C-2
The Kawasaki C-2 has similar dimensions and payload to the Airbus A400M
|Country of origin||Japan|
|Entered service||2016|
|Crew||3 men|
|Dimensions and weight|
|Length||43.9 m|
|Wing span||44.4 m|
|Height||14.2 m|
|Weight (empty)||60.8 t|
|Weight (maximum take off)||141.4 t|
|Engines and performance|
|Engines||2 x General Electric CF6-80C2K1F turbofan|
|Traction||2 x 266 kN|
|Maximum speed||?|
|Cruising speed||890 km/h|
|Service ceiling||12.2 km|
|Range (with maximum fuel)||?|
|Range (with maximum payload)||?|
|Range (with 12 t payload)||6 500 km|
|Ferry range||10 000 km|
|Payload|
|Maximum payload||37.6 t|
|Troops||~ 120 men|
|Vehicles||?|
|Cargo compartment dimensions||16 x 4 x 4 m|
The Kawasaki C-2 is the new Japanese medium-range transport aircraft. It was developed and manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries for Japan Air Self-Defense Forces (JASDF). The JASDF had a requirement for a modern medium-range transport aircraft. After researching foreign aircraft like the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Airbus A400M the Japan Ministry of Defense concluded that none of these aircraft has the capabilities required by JASDF. So Japanese MoD decided to develop indigenous transport aircraft. Development of the XC-2 commenced in 2001. It made its first flight in 2010 and was delivered to JASDF for trials and evaluation in 2011. First production aircraft was planned to be delivered to JASDF in 2014. However it was delayed to to some unresolved design problems. The Kawasaki C-2 aircraft became operation with the JASDF in 2016. A total of 30-40 aircraft are planned to be delivered. These will eventually replace a fleet of older Kawasaki C-1 and Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules tactical cargo aircraft. The C-2 can carry much more cargo and has longer range than the previous C-1 and C-130 Hercules.
The Kawasaki C-2 follows the lines of the previous C-1. Its layout is typical for a modern military cargo aircraft. In order to decrease development and production costs it was developed in parallel with the Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft and shares major airframe parts, basic wing structure and system components.
This aircraft is powered by two General Electric CF6-80C2K1F turbofan engines. Similar engines are widely used on civilian airliners. This airlifter has high cruising speed.
The C-2 has a payload capacity of 37.6 t. It is worth noting that the older C-1 can carry only 10-12 t and C-130 Hercules - 19 t. The C-2 has similar dimensions and payload capacity to the Airbus A400M. It will be used to transport troop, drop supplies and perform medical evacuation. It can carry around 120 troops, or 8 standard air cargo pallets or one UH-60J helicopter. It has a rear loading ramp that can open in flight.
This airlifter can operate from short or unprepared runways.
The C-2 is operated by a crew of three, including two pilots and loadmaster.
Kawasaki also plans to sell a commercial version of the C-2.
Please Read
Top 10 Fighter Aircraft
Top 10 Largest Military Transports
Home Aircraft Helicopters Tanks Armored Vehicles Artillery Trucks Engineering Vehicles Missiles Naval Forces Firearms | Contact Us
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------