C-1 / EC-1
The Kawasaki C-1 was designed to replace the C-46. The first prototype flew on November 12, 1970. The second prototype flew on January 16, 1971. The first pre-production aircarft flew in 1972. The second pre-production aircraft flew in 1974. The first production C-1A (number 48-1008) flew in December 1974. By 1981, a total of 31 C-1A had been delivered. The C-1KA, featuring a redesigned nose, upgraded avionics, first flew in 1985.
JASDF also has longstanding requirements for new transports to replace 30-year-old Kawasaki C-1s. The indigenous C-1s is likely to be replaced by a Japanese developed aircraft.
The EC-1 variant carries surveillance equipment.
