First Flight for the Mitsubishi SH-60L Seahawk

Helis, May 19, 2021 - The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries XSH-60L Seahawk helicopter completed it first flight on May 12 at the company’s Komaki-Minami facility at Nagoya Airport.

Based on the Mitsubishi SH-60K, the new helicopter is the third generation Seahawk for shipborne anti-submarine / anti-surface warfare (ASW) developed for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) .

The prototype, serial 8501, which was first unveiled during its rollout last October, is a company-owned aircraft having previously seen service as the prototype for the unbuilt USH-60K search and rescue variant.

After a series of test flights that now will follow, the prototype will be then handed over to the defense ministry’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) that oversees military procurement and research.

Mitsubishi initially produced under license the SH-60J based on the US Navy SH-60B. Starting in 1991, 103 helicopters of this variant were delivered to the JMSDF. In 1997 Mitsubishi began development of the improved SH-60K with many local refinements. 75 were delivered to the JMSDF since 2005.

Started flight test of new rotary wing patrol aircraft

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - May 12, 2021 - Today, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has started a flight test of a prototype rotorcraft patrol aircraft (capacity-enhancing type).

In today's test, our test pilot piloted the prototype, hovered for about 30 minutes at the prefectural Nagoya Airport (Toyoyama-cho, Nishikasugai-gun, Aichi Prefecture), and then landed safely at the airport.

Based on a contract with the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, this rotorcraft patrol aircraft (capacity-enhancing type) has been under development by our company at the Komaki Minami Plant of Nagoya Aerospace Systems Mfg. Co., Ltd., which is adjacent to the airport since 2015.

Based on the rotary wing patrol aircraft "SH-60K" for the Maritime Self-Defense Force, which first flew in August, it is a state-of-the-art helicopter with improved capabilities such as on-board system and flight performance. In the future, we plan to continue conducting flight tests for delivery to the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency in 2021.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will continue to strive for the study and development of defense and space-related technologies, and will contribute to Japan's security through its business.