Kawasaki XC-2 is a next generation transport jet with MTOW 120 tonnes (photo : Airliners)
GIFU (Kyodo) Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. delivered its first XC2 next-generation transport jet to the Air Self-Defense Force in a ceremony Tuesday at the firm's Gifu plant, two years behind schedule.
The XC2, a high-wing twin-engine plane measuring 44 meters in length, is currently the largest domestically developed aircraft.
The delivery was delayed because the fuselage turned out to be weaker than designed. The second plane is to be delivered by the end of March 2012.
The XC2's payload is about three times larger than the C1 transport now used by the ASDF.
The XC2 is easy to fly and can have civil aviation applications, a KHI official said.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force is developing the XP1 next-generation submarine patrol plane, which will use some common parts with the XC2.
Development costs for the two airplanes combined came to ¥345 billion.