June 5, 2007:
Japan has rolled out the prototypes
for its new military transport (the C-X) and maritime patrol aircraft (P-X).
Both were developed in Japan, at a cost of nearly $3 billion. Up to 44 C-X
aircraft will replace existing C-1 and C-130 transports, while up to 80 P-X
will replace American made P-3 patrol aircraft.
The C-X is a 141 ton, twin engine aircraft with a
crew of three and able to carry up to 26 tons of military cargo. Japan is
planning a commercial model that can carry 37 tons. The aircraft can go 10,000
kilometers empty, or 5,600 kilometers with 37 tons.
The P-X looks like an American P-3 with swept wings
and four jet engines. But, in fact, the P-X shares many components with the
C-X. The P-X is designed to have similar capabilities to the American P-8,
which is also still in development.