Kawasaki MCH-101 Japan Maritime Self Defense Force JMSDF

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force / JMSDF - Fleet Air Force
Kawasaki CH-101 / MCH-101
Transport / AMCM Helicopter

kawasaki ch-101 mch-101 mcm helicopter japan maritime self defense force jmsdf aw101 merlin 02x

09/23

Aircraft and users:

Identified serials:

CH-101
8191 / 8192 / 8193

MCH-101
8651 / 8652 / 8653 / 8654 / 8655 / 8656 / 8657 / 8658 / 8659 / 8660
+ ? more on order

CH-101Squadron:
Shirase Hikohan (Artic Exploration Flight on the icebreaker 5003 JS Shirase) based at Yokosuka

MCH-101 Squadron:
Mine Countermeasures Helicopter Squadron 111 (第111航空隊 / 111-Koukuutai) - based at Iwakuni Air Base

The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter in military and civil use. First flown in 1987, it was developed by a joint venture between Westland Helicopters in the United Kingdom and Agusta in Italy in response to national requirements for a modern naval utility helicopter. Several operators, including the armed forces of Britain, Denmark, and Portugal, use the name Merlin for their AW101 aircraft. It is manufactured at factories in Yeovil, England, and Vergiate, Italy. Licensed assembly work has also taken place in Japan and the United States.

Prior to 2007, the aircraft had been marketed under the designation EH101. The original designation was EHI 01, from the name given to the Anglo-Italian joint venture - European Helicopter Industries - but a transcription error changed this to EH101. In 2000, Westland Helicopters and Agusta merged to form AgustaWestland, leading to the type's current designation.

The AW101 Merlin follows a conventional design layout, but makes use of advanced technologies, such as the design of the rotor blades, avionics systems, and extensive use of composite materials. The fuselage structure is modular and comprises an aluminium-lithium alloy, designed to be both light and damage-resistant. The AW101 is designed for operating in extreme weather conditions; it is fitted with a de-icing system and rated to operate in temperatures ranging between -45 and +50 °C. The aircraft's control systems allow the AW101 to maintain a stable hover in 74 km/h (40 kn) crosswinds.

An active vibration control system, known as the active control of structural response system, reduces airframe vibration by up to 80%, increasing crew comfort and minimising buildup of stress on the airframe. The cockpit is fitted with armoured seats for the crew, and can withstand an impact velocity of over 10 m/s. Dual flight controls are provided, though the AW101 can be flown by a single person. The pilots' instrument displays include six full-colour high-definition screens and an optional mission display; a digital map or forward looking infrared (FLIR) display can also be installed.

The AW101 is powered by three turboshaft engines. Initially the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 producing 2,035 to 2,160 shp (1,517 to 1,611 kW) and the General Electric CT7 producing 1,960 to 2,329 shp (1,462 to 1,737 kW) were the two available engine types, but by 2020 new aircraft were only being sold with the CT7-8E. The RTM322 powerplant was specifically developed for the AW101; it was subsequently adopted on the AgustaWestland WAH-64 Apache and the NHIndustries NH90 helicopters. According to Rolls-Royce, about 80% of AW101s use the RTM322.

The engines power an 18.59 m (61 ft 0 in) diameter five-bladed main rotor. The rotor blades are constructed from carbon/glass with nomex honeycomb and rohacell foam, edged with titanium alloy in a sandwich construction. The shaping of the main rotor blades is derived from the BERP rotor blades first used on the Westland Lynx. This blade design improves aerodynamic efficiency at the blade tip and reduces the acoustic signature. Improved BERP IV rotors have since been developed; when installed this increases the AW101's maximum take-off weight.

Each engine is supplied by a separate 1,074 L (284 US gal; 236 imp gal) fuel tank using dual booster pumps. Optional fourth and fifth tanks can be added to act as a reservoir supply, topping up the main tanks during flight, increasing range or endurance. The AW101 can also be fitted with a probe for aerial refuelling. Self-sealing fuel tanks are an optional item to be selected by the customer. An inlet particle separator system can be installed, protecting the engine when operating in sandy environments.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ordered 14 aircraft in 2003 to use in both the airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) and transport roles. The AW101 was modified by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and the Japan Defense Agency designated the model MCH-101. Special features include the automated folding of the rotor and tail. For the mine-hunting role, the MCH-101 has been outfitted with Northrop Grumman's AQS-24A airborne mine-hunting system and AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) for a complete surface-to-bottom mine detection capability, as well as Mk-104 acoustic mine sweeping gear.

In 2002, AgustaWestland, Kawasaki and Marubeni entered a general agreement for cooperation; Kawasaki began the assembly of both the CH-101 and the MCH-101 in 2003. Kawasaki also began licensed production of the RTM322 engines in 2005. In a separate agreement between Marubeni and AgustaWestland, a supply depot was established in Japan to support the MCH-101 and CH-101 fleets. The first MCH-101 was delivered to the JMSDF on 3 March 2006.

The MCH-101 will replace the MH-53E (S-80-M-1) in the AMCM role. The CH-101 will operate in the transport/support role for Antarctic expeditions, replacing the Sikorsky S-61A, and will be working in coordination with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

After a whistle-blower alleged that the MSDF's preference had been improperly changed an investigation was launched. On 16 December 2016 the Japanese Ministry of Defense (the Defense Agency having been upgraded to a ministry in 2007) stated that it had not confirmed lobbying efforts but the ministry admonished Tomohisa Takei, the JMSDF chief of staff, for mentioning the MCH-101 by name during the procurement process to his subordinates. This had come after MSDF officials had reported that the Mitsubishi-built SH helicopters may be best.

Specifications:
Crew: 3-4
Length: 22.8 m (74 ft 10 in)
Height: 6.62 m (21 ft 9 in)
Empty weight: 10,500 kg (23,149 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 14,600 kg (32,187 lb)
Powerplant: 3 x Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01 turboshaft engines, 1,566 kW (2,100 hp) each (take-off power)
Main rotor diameter: 18.59 m (61 ft 0 in)
Main rotor area: 271.51 m2 (2,922.5 sq ft)
Cruise speed: 278 km/h (173 mph, 150 kn)
Never exceed speed: 309 km/h (192 mph, 167 kn)
Range: 1,389 km (863 mi, 750 nmi)
Endurance: 5 hours
Service ceiling: 4,575 m (15,010 ft)

source: wikipedia+

images

MCH-101

kawasaki mch-101 helicopter airborne mine countermeasures amcm japan maritime self defense force jmsdf merlin 8651 06

8651

8652

8654

8655

8657

8657

CH-101

kawasaki ch-101 helicopter japan maritime self defense force jmsdf aw101 merlin icebreaker shirase 8191 03

8191

8191 aboard the icebreaker JS Shirase (5003)

kawasaki ch-101 helicopter japan maritime self defense force jmsdf aw101 merlin icebreaker shirase 8192 02

kawasaki ch-101 helicopter japan maritime self defense force jmsdf aw101 merlin icebreaker shirase 8192 02

8192

CH-101 Serial 8193 crashed in 2017 and was written off

| seaforces.org | Japan Maritime Self Defense Force start page |