Kawasaki C-1
The Kawasaki C-1 (川崎 C-1) is a twin-engined short-range military transport aircraft developed and manufactured by the Japanese conglomerate Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It is solely used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
| C-1 | |
|---|---|
| A JASDF C-1 at Iruma Air Base in 2011 | |
| Role | Military transport aircraft |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| First flight | 12 November 1970 |
| Introduction | December 1974 |
| Status | Active, in production |
| Primary user | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Number built | 31 |
Development of the C-1 commenced in 1966 in response to a requirement from the JASDF, which sought an indigenous jet-powered replacement for its aging Second World War–era Curtiss C-46 Commando transport fleet. First flown on 12 November 1970, quantity production of the type commenced during the following year. The C-1 has formed the backbone of the JASDF's transport capability throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, as well as the initial years of the twenty-first century as well. During the 2010s, Kawasaki developed a newer, larger, and longer range airlifter, the Kawasaki C-2, which will eventually replace the JASDF's C-1 fleet entirely.