TSAMTO, June 23. Subaru Corporation announced the signing of a contract with the Japanese Coast Guard Command on June 21 for the supply of the first production multi-purpose helicopter Bell-412EPX (UH-2). The new car is planned to be delivered to the customer in 2025.
According to the company's press release, the helicopter will be used to ensure safety at sea, conduct search and rescue operations, eliminate maritime disasters, transport troops and cargo.
It is noted that Bell-412EPX has common features with Bell-412EP, which is currently operated by the Japanese Coast Guard. Thus, a smooth implementation and transition to a new helicopter model is ensured by using existing resources. In addition, the Bell-412EPX provides better operational capabilities and operational efficiency, along with improved performance compared to the old model.
Recall that in July 2015, the Ministry of Defense of Japan selected Fuji Heavy Industries (currently Subaru) as a contractor for the implementation of a program to create a new multi-purpose helicopter for the country's Defense Forces.
In September 2015, the Ministry of Defense of Japan signed a contract with Subaru to develop a prototype of a new UH-X multi-purpose helicopter. The project was implemented jointly with Bell Helicopter on the basis of the Bell-412EPX commercial helicopter. Flight tests of the prototype began in December 2018. After their successful completion, on February 28, 2019, the helicopter was transferred to the Ministry of Defense of Japan. Later, the car was renamed the XUH-2, and the serial samples received the designation UH-2.
In March 2020, the Japanese Agency for Procurement, Technology and Logistics (ATLA) signed a contract with the company worth $14.3 billion. yen ($129.2 million) for the production of the first six helicopters of this type for the Land Self-Defense Forces of Japan. Their delivery should be completed by January 2023.
A Subaru representative said that the company plans to supply the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces with 7 helicopters in the future during 2024 and 13 helicopters in 2025.
Over the next two decades, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces plan to purchase about 150 UH-2 helicopters to replace 127 obsolete UH-1J "Hugh" multipurpose helicopters, which were assembled by FHI under license from Bell Helicopter and delivered in the early 1990s.
Developed on the basis of the Bell-412EPX commercial helicopter, the twin-engine UH-2 is equipped with a PT6T-9 Twin-Pac turboshaft engine from Pratt & Whitney and a glass cabin, allows 30-minute operation of the transmission without oil.
The helicopter is equipped with a four-bladed main rotor, unlike the single-engine UH-1J, which has a two-bladed main rotor. The claimed maximum internal weight of the helicopter is 12,200 pounds (5,534 kg), which allows it to carry more cargo than the UH-1J. The UH-2 helicopter can land on sea vessels and be transported by military transport aircraft.
In addition to the traditional functions of transporting troops and cargo, the helicopter can be used for parachuting or by cables, as well as to support humanitarian aid operations and assistance to victims of natural disasters.
UH-2 can be equipped with an on-board video camera for use in humanitarian aid operations, threat warning systems, jamming and shooting false targets.
