It does not receive public funding Editor in chief: CLARA MOSCHINI
AgustaWestland: first Japanese EH-101 completes maiden flight
Yeovil, UK - It's the first of 14 aircraft ordered by the Japanese Defence Agency
"A major milestone was achieved on Tuesday February 15th when the maiden flight of the Japanese EH-101 was successfully completed at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the UK. The helicopter, designated KHI-01, is the first of 14 aircraft ordered by the Japanese Defence Agency to meet its Transportation, Airborne Anti Mine Counter Measures (AMCM) and Antarctic survey requirements.
Assembly of the aircraft at Yeovil was successfully completed in just 44 weeks, a record timescale for a ‘first of type’ EH-101. Alan Johnston, Westland Helicopters Managing Director said: ’Since contract award 16 months ago we have achieved all our major programme milestones on schedule and we are delighted that the first flight has now taken place’.
Deputy Chief Test Pilot Andy Strachan, who took the controls for the 30 minute flight said: ’The aircraft performed exactly as expected. We flew a standard initial test schedule including aircraft system checks and aircraft/engine handling as well as forward flight to 120 knots and low speed manoeuvres’.
Following an acceptance phase in the UK, the first aircraft will support KHI Pilot training prior to being shipped to Japan later this year. The aircraft will then undergo completion work by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), which will include the installation of radio equipment, defensive aids suite and other customer-specific equipment.
AgustaWestland and KHI signed a licence and purchase agreement in 2003 to produce and support the Japanese EH-101s. KHI has established manufacturing, test flight and support facilities at its Gifu works in Japan. Fourteen utility RTM322 powered, rear-ramped variants of the EH101 have been ordered to replace the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force’s (JMSDF) fleet of Sikorsky MH-53Es and S-61s.
Aircraft kits for the remaining 13 aircraft will be prepared by AgustaWestland in the UK with final assembly taking place in Japan. The KHI build line is due to receive the first two aircraft in the last quarter of 2005 with delivery of the first aircraft to the JDA in 2006. KHI personnel have worked closely with AgustaWestland in the UK over the last year, undergoing on-the-job training and assembly familiarisation. Two pilots from KHI will start a four month flight training programme in February at Yeovil".
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