The Japanese authorities is procuring one other Kawasaki MCH-101 airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM)-capable helicopter for the Japan Maritime Self-Protection Power (JMSDF). The publication has listed a projected expenditure of JPY7.3 billion (USD53.4 million) for the procurement. The primary AMCM configured is the eighth of 13 AW101s that Kawasaki Heavy Industries is constructing beneath licence from AgustaWestland for the Japan Maritime Protection Power. The eight plane delivered so far comprise six MCH-101s and two CH-101s. The KHI MCH-101 helicopter is a model of the AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter constructed beneath licence by KHI for the JMSDF. The CH-101s are used to help Japan’s Antarctic analysis actions.
The plane is fitted with a Northrop Grumman AN/AQS-24A airborne mine looking system and a Northrop Grumman AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS). The AN/AQS-24A is a excessive pace airborne mine looking system with a high-resolution side-scan sonar for real-time detection, localisation and classification of backside and moored mines. The AN/AES-1 ALMDS makes use of pulsed laser mild and streak tube receivers to picture the near-surface quantity that will comprise mines. This pod is mounted on the helicopter’s port weapon provider and information is displayed on the cabin mission console. Collectively these two methods present the helicopter with a surface-to-bottom mine detection functionality.
Commercial
AgustaWestland is offering technical help for the KHI MCH-101 programme. KHI is answerable for main the design and integration of the AN/AQS-24A carriage, deploy, tow and restoration system put in within the cabin. AgustaWestland modified the automated flight management system of the plane to carry out towing patterns with the AN/AQS-24A. The MCH-101 will exchange the fleet of MH-53E which can be in service with the JMSDF. The MCH-101 helicopters are primarily deployed in minesweeping and transport missions. It’s going to even be used to supply transport help for Antarctic exploration. The MCH-101 may be operated from shore in addition to from JMSDF ships, equivalent to Hyuga Class helicopter destroyers.
Based mostly on the EH-101, the MCH-101 helicopter was designed to fulfill the minesweeping necessities of the JMSDF. The modular airframe of the MCH-101 is fabricated from aluminium alloy and composite supplies. The size of the MCH-101 is 22.8m, whereas the rotor diameter and peak of the helicopter are 18.6m and 6.6m respectively. The helicopter has the gross weight of 14,800kg. The MCH-101 helicopter is powered by three Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 turboshaft engines. KHI was granted a licence to assemble, check, restore and overhaul RTM322 engines for the MCH-101 fleet of the JMSDF. Every RTM322 engine develops a most energy of 1,566 kW. The engine’s operation is managed by a Full Authority Digital Engine Management (FADEC) system. The facility plant supplies a most pace of 280km/h.
