Subaru Company in the present day accomplished the maiden flight of the New Utility Helicopter (UH-2) for Japan Floor Self-Protection Power (JGSDF) at its Aerospace Firm Utsunomiya Plant, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. This helicopter, flown by Subaru’s flight crew, took off from the Utsunomiya Airfield and landed safely after its 30-minute flight. The Japan Ministry of Protection’s (MoD’s) Acquisition, Expertise & Logistics Company (ATLA) has awarded Subaru Company contracts value a mixed complete of USD131.6 million (JPY14.3 billion) for the manufacturing and supply of six UH-X army utility helicopters to the the Japan Floor Self-Protection Power (JGSDF).
The UH-2 utility helicopter is being developed collectively by Bell Helicopter and Subaru (previously Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd) to satisfy the necessities of the JGSDF. Subaru has developed the New Utility Helicopter (UH-2) leveraging the SUBARU BELL 412EPX because the platform that has been collectively developed with Bell, a Textron Inc. firm. This helicopter can be delivered to JGSDF after the completion of a sequence of flight checks by Subaru. Japan MoD plans to switch the JGSDF’s present fleet of 127 UH-1J utility helicopters with 150 UH-Xs over the subsequent 20 years. The primary UH-X helicopter is scheduled to be delivered to the JGSDF in 2022.
Commercial
The helicopter can be geared up with two Pratt & Whitney PT6T-9 engines coupled to a sturdy essential rotor gearbox. Every engine will combine state-of-the-art digital engine controls (ECS) and can ship a most take-off energy of 1,800shp (1,342kW). The PT6T-9 engine will ship 15% extra energy than its predecessors and also will guarantee a time between overhauls (TBO) of 4,000 hours. The ECS, geared up with the total hydromechanical back-up, will additional cut back the workload of the pilot. The facility-plant will allow the helicopter to realize a most horizontal velocity of 125kt and ship superior efficiency in sizzling and excessive circumstances.
The UH-2 helicopter relies on the airframe of Bell 412EPI and can function a rugged fuselage integrating a four-blade essential rotor and a semi-monocoque tail growth construction fitted with a two-blade tail rotor. The under-fuselage will incorporate a skid-type touchdown gear. The helicopter is designed to satisfy the specs of the JGSDF, whereas providing superior efficiency, security, and effectivity. It’ll help probably the most difficult missions and also will guarantee low lifecycle prices and excessive availability. It’ll have an general size of roughly 13m, a width of 3m, and an general top of 4m. The utmost gross weight can be 5.5t, whereas the helpful load of the rotorcraft can be greater than 2t.
