by David Donald
Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI; Hall 2 Stand A88) and Bell (Outdoor Exhibit L2-L5) have begun development of a version of the Bell 412EPI for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), having won the UH-X competition for a new utility transport helicopter. This will replace the UH-1J (Bell Model 205) in JGSDF service.
Fuji and Bell have forged a long partnership that has seen FHI build the UH-1B, UH-1J and AH-1S Cobra under license for the JGSDF, while it also license-built the service’s AH-64 Apaches. The UH-X helicopters are to be built at the company’s Utsunomiya plant.
Selection of the Fuji-Bell team for UH-X was announced in July last year and a contract for 150 helicopters was awarded in September. Originally a Kawasaki Heavy Industries team had been selected to develop UH-X as a new design, but the program was relaunched following alleged improprieties in the bidding process. The renewed UH-X requirement specified a modified off-the-shelf aircraft to keep costs down. KHI teamed with Airbus Helicopters to offer the new H160, but the Bell 412-based helicopter won out in a number of the Japanese evaluation categories, including delivery timescale. First deliveries are slated for 2021.
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