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Kawasaki OH-1 Ninja

2000 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History

The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has used American Hughes OH-6 Cayuse light observation helicopters for reconnaissance missions for decades. The nimble single-engine aircraft, better known as the Loach, has served in similar roles in many countries around the world. The OH-6 is manufactured locally in Japan under the Kawasaki brand label OH-6J and its successor, the OH-6D. The former is based on the loach, while the latter is descended from the similar model Hughes 500D.

Kawasaki has produced about 387 examples, of which about 100,300 are in use at the time of this writing (2012).

Ideas eventually gave way in the 1980s to designing and developing indigenous light reconnaissance helicopter solutions, resulting in the OH-X helicopter program. As the race progressed, the proposal was answered by Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi, who all submitted proposals. Ultimately, Japanese authorities selected Project Kawasaki as the winner of the OH-X competition in September 1992, for which they ordered a prototype designated XOH-1. The plane has since earned the nickname "Ninja".

Kawasaki represented the main contractor for XOH-1, as well as subcontractors Fuji and Mitsubishi (each with a 20% interest in the project).

The first flight of the XOH-1 aircraft was on August 6, 1996. Five more prototypes were subsequently built and initial tests were successfully completed the following year. After successfully completing the required tests, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces officially accepted the XOH-1 as the OH-1 (the name change occurred in late 1996), and mass production was planned to begin in 1998.

Purchase orders for hundreds of aircraft, although this may not be feasible given current budget constraints. As a result, OH-1 deliveries were slow and fewer than 50 aircraft were completed (2012).

The OH-1 presents a thoroughly modern look and incorporates proven design concepts found in other military helicopters around the world. The plane was flown by two specialists, who sat in the raised rear cockpit and the pilot and weapons officer in the lower part of the front cockpit. The nose assembly is short and well contoured, providing good pilot visibility and efficient aerodynamic qualities.

With the pilots sitting side by side, the fuselage can be made very slim, which promotes a smaller front profile. The engines were installed in the engine rooms on both sides of the hull behind the cockpit.

The four-blade main rotor assembly is located low on top of the fuselage, while the tail rotor is housed in a fenestron assembly that helps reduce noise. The empennage is essentially a torso extending from the body of the fuselage, with the horizontal plane on either side of the fin, just in front of the front bore armature. The vertical tail is located on the tail rotor. Short wing assemblies are mounted on the sides of the fuselage, just aft of the pilot's cockpit.

These can support four hardpoints for different artillery layouts or external fuel depots. Weapons are variable, and you can mix rockets, rocket pods, cannon pods, and cannon pods to suit your needs. The OH-1 does not use the chin-mounted turret or optical fairing common to other military helicopter designs.

There is an optical bubble above and aft of the pilot's cockpit, just in front of the main rotor mast. The landing gear is consistent with other military helicopter offerings, with two single-wheel main landing gear legs extending from the front side of the fuselage and a single-wheel stabilizer located at the bottom of the tail rotor assembly.

Cord cutters (required for low-altitude city flight) are located in front of the optical sight mount and under the cockpit floor.

Inside, the OH-1 is packed with advanced technology. It relies on nearly 40 percent of the fuselage being made of composite materials to reduce overall weight. However, the blade is protected by 20mm shells. The cockpit is all glass with LCD display and two HOCAS control systems. The pilot's cockpit receives a HUD (head-up display), which displays relevant mission and performance parameters without the operator taking their eyes off the impending action.

Overall, the OH-1 provides the Japanese Army with a modern and robust combat support system that can be used as armed reconnaissance or support alongside the existing fleet of Hughes AH-64DJP Apache and Bell Ah-1 Cobra attack helicopters Agent.

The Kawasaki OH-1 was used as the successor to the Hughes OH-6 light observation device in service with the JGSDF.