ShinMaywa’s original spray suppressor and spray strip realize excellent seaworthiness, thereby preventing damage to airframes when landing on water. Together with its capability to cruise at extremely low speeds, the US-2 can take off and land on water with waves up to three meters high.
Amphibious Flying Boat Aircraft
Introduced in 2007, the ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious flying
boat is expected to reach production totals numbering seven aircraft.
While no longer as heavily relied upon as in previous
decades of military aviation, the flying boat is alive and well through a few
choice aircraft including the Japanese ShinMaywa US-2. The US-2 goes beyond the
capabilities of a flying boat by containing an inherent undercarriage facility
which makes the aircraft a true “amphibian”. With this trait, the
US-2 serves the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) well in the
Search-and-Rescue (SAR) role. First flight was on December 18th, 2003 with
series introduction occurring on March 30th, 2007. Production has been ongoing
since 2003. The first US-2 commercial production aircraft was delivered to
Japan’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) in February 2009. The fifth US-2 was
delivered to the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force in 2011.The series was
adopted to succeed the aging US-1/PS-1 family of amphibious flying boats of
which 43 were produced.
Earlier in its life, the US-2 fell under the Shin Meiwa
Industries brand label until the company was reborn as ShinMaywa Industries of
Takarazuka (Hyogo Prefecture) in 1992.
The US-2 features a typical operating crew of eleven and can
seat up to 20 passengers or, alternatively, 12 medical litters with applicable
staff. Overall length of the aircraft reaches 33.5 meters with a wingspan of 33
meters and height of 9.8 meters. Empty weight is 56,500 lb with a Maximum
Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 105,150 lb. Power is through 4 x Rolls-Royce AE2100J
series turboprop engines developing 4,590 horsepower each and driving
six-bladed Dowty R414 series propeller units. Additional boundary layer control
is provided through an LHTEC T800 turbine engine supplying an additional 1,360
horsepower. Performance specifications include a maximum speed of 350 miles per
hour, a cruising speed of 300 miles per hour, a range out to 3,000 miles, and a
service ceiling up to 23,600 feet. Performance of the US-2 provides for Short
Take-Off and Landing (STOL) qualities which is always appreciated by maritime
services.
Outwardly, the US-2 exhibits a traditional flying boat
appearance with shoulder-mounted wings holding the engines along their leading
edge, a T-style tail unit, and a boat-like hull under the fuselage. The cockpit
is aft and over the nose with a commanding view of the action ahead as well as
unfettered views of the engines. The US-2 is equipped with a glass cockpit with
integrated instrument panel. A single LCD panel integrates the digitalised
meters. The aircraft incorporates fly-by-wire flight control system. The
computerised flight system improves the safety and controllability of the
aircraft.
Pontoon floats are carried under each wing mainplane
outboard of the engine pairings. The cargo hold is suitable for many at-sea
mission types (including resupply initiatives) but primarily serves the SAR
role.
Beyond the JMSDF, the US-2 has garnered interest from the
Indian Navy who is in search of a modern SAR platform. The service may purchase
as many as eighteen of the type. Japanese naval US-2 aircraft are stationed at
Iwakuni Air Base in Southwest Japan and Atsugi Air Base in Eastern Japan.
Specifications
Year: 2007
Manufacturer(s): ShinMaywa (Shin Meiwa Industries) – Japan
Production: 5
Capabilities: Navy/Maritime; Commercial Market; Search and
Rescue (SAR);
Reconnaissance (RECCE);
Crew: 11
Length: 109.78 ft (33.46 m)
Width: 108.76 ft (33.15 m)
Height: 32.15 ft (9.8 m)
Weight (Empty): 56,504 lb (25,630 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 105,160 lb (47,700 kg)
Power: 4 x Rolls-Royce AE2100J turboprop engines developing
4,590 horsepower each.
Speed: 348 mph (560 kph; 302 kts)
Ceiling: 23,622 feet (7,200 m; 4.47 miles)
Range: 2,920 miles (4,700 km; 2,538 nm)
Rate-of-Climb: 2,100 ft/min (640 m/min)
