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F7-10 engine

The F7-10 engine is the 100% made-in-Japan turbofan engine that the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency developed. It took demonstrations to the next level and help sharpen the competitive edge of Japan’s engine component technologies. The P-1 is currently the sole application of the 13,000lb-thrust IHI F7-10 turbofan. Although not generally used, thrust reversers are fitted.

The P-X future MPA program was initiated in 2001 by the Japanese Ministry of Defence concurrently with the next generation transport aircraft C-X . The P-X and C-X shared structural components and sub-systems and utilized commercial off the shelf products to save on development and production costs. First flight for the P-X prototype, by then re-designated the XP-1, took place on 28th Sep 2007. By March 2010 four XP-1 had been delivered to the MOD for testing and trials. They were introduced into service in 2013 as the Kawasaki P-1 to gradually replace JMSDF's ageing P-3C Orion.

Unlike its turboprop powered predecessor, the P-1 is powered by four IHI F7-10 high bypass turbofan engines. Japan's IHI Corporation developed the F-7-10 specifically for the P-1, using metal alloys that are corrosion resistant in salt environments. Sound absorbing panels are also used to lower the acoustic signature of the engines, achieving a sound level 5 to 10 dB below the P-3C's Allison T-56-A-14 turboprops. The F7-10 turbofan has a bypass ratio of 8.2:1 and each delivers a maximum thrust of 60kN or 13500lbs. The jet engines enables the P-1 to achieve a greater maximum speed, a higher operating ceiling, a longer range and carry a heavier load compared with the P-3C.

Having four engines instead of two is advantageous for MPAs as they frequently fly over open bodies of water at remote locations where airfields may not be readily available for emergency landings in case of engine failure. In addition, MPAs often have to execute their combat missions at low altitudes where bird strikes can be common. A single engine failure in a twin engine MPA like the P-8A would probably have necessitated a turn around whereas an MPA with four engines could still continue its mission with one engine shutdown.

With regard to aircraft involving many technological bases shared between the defense and the civilian sectors, the MOD has been considering the civilian use of aircraft developed by the MOD from the perspective that taking measures to contribute to the revitalization of the civilian sector will contribute to maintaining and activating the production and technological bases of Japanese aircraft, and by extension, to maintaining and strengthening the defense production and technological base in Japan.

In August 2010, the MOD compiled a set of guidelines for the development of a concrete system for converting aircraft to civilian use, while in 2011, it also developed the application procedure for private companies interested in civilian use. So far, technical data related to the civilian use of the US-2 amphibian rescue aircraft and the F7-10 engine that are mounted on P-1 maritime patrol aircraft have been disclosed and released in response to requests from the implementing companies. In December 2016, ATLA and IHI Corporation, a manufacturing company of F7-10 engine, signed a contract for the civilian use of of the F7-10 for sales to JAXA for the first time in Japan.