SINGAPORE – Honeywell Aerospace will supply the electrical and mechanical systems for Japan's new P-1 maritime patrol aircraft built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). The announcement was made during the Singapore Airshow, being held from Feb. 16-21.
Honeywell will supply propulsion, environmental and safety technologies for 20 P-1's. "The contract positions Honeywell as the largest non-Japanese supplier for Japan's P-1 program and is the first multiyear aircraft procurement contract approved by the Japan Ministry of Defense," said a Honeywell press release.
Honeywell will supply the 131-9J Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), "which is one of the most widely used, reliable and capable gas-powered turbine engines in the aerospace industry." The APU provides five percent fuel savings compared with Honeywell's previous APU, 20 percent higher reliability and availability, and ten percent power advantage for better cabin cooling. Other systems included in the deal include Honeywell's Enhanced Proximity Warning System and SmartTraffic Traffic Collision Avoidance System "leading to significant cost savings of more than $25,000 per aircraft upgrade."
Other Honeywell systems in the deal include the Cabin Pressure Control System, Engine Starter Bleed System Valve, Exterior and Interior Lighting, Personal Oxygen Unit, Ram Air Turbine, Bleed Air System, and Sonobuoy Dispenser.
Maritime patrol aircraft, such as the new Boeing P-8 Poseidon, are in increasing demand in the region, due to requirements for securing and safeguarding sea-lines of communication in the narrow Malacca and Singapore straits, and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
The P-1 will replace Lockheed's ageing P-3C Orion aircraft that have been in service for over twenty-years with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
"Honeywell and KHI share a similar focus: to support and boost the mission effectiveness and improve the safety of Japan's new P-1 airplane as the country continues to invest in defense," said Mark Burgess, vice president, APAC, Defense and Space, Honeywell Aerospace. "Japan is a key long-term market for Honeywell, and the agreement with KHI is a significant win validating our growth strategy across defense in Japan and the broader Asia Pacific region. We also look forward to supporting KHI as they seek to export this very capable airplane around the world."
Japan is one of Honeywell's largest defense markets, and the company has established more than 20 licensing partners and trading companies in the country, said the press release. Honeywell supplies high-performance engines such as the T55 and a range of mechanical systems, electronics and avionics for the F-15 Eagle, CH-47 Chinook helicopter, P-3C Orion, Kawasaki C-2 and the ShinMaywa US-2.
