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 DSEi JAPAN SHOW PREVIEW
JGSDF

INDUCTING

NEW UTILITY

HELICOPTER

The Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) in torque output in the Subaru Bell 412 EPX as compared to the
is now taking deliveries of its new utility helicop- Bell 412EPI. The cockpit features Bell’s Basix-Pro integrated glass
ter (UH-2) from Subaru Corporation. Deliveries cockpit with four large high definition displays paired with a digital
commenced in June 2022, when the first UH-2 navigation/communication suite which reduces pilot workload and
was delivered by Subaru. The JGSDF is slated increases situational awareness. The helicopter is powered by Pratt
to induct approximately 25 UH-2s by 2025 and & Whitney PT6T-9 Twin-Pac engines.
is replacing its current fleet of UH-1J helicop-
ters with the UH-2. At least 150 helicopters will Subaru obtained approval of the design change of Japanese
be procured. The new UH-2 helicopter will offer Type Certificate from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) in
low lifecycle costs and high availability rates, January 2019 for the Subaru Bell 412 EPX. In June 2022, the Japan
while performing the most demanding missions. Coast Guard placed orders for Subaru Bell 412 EPXs with deliveries
Developed to stringent JGSDF specifications, due in 2025. The new helicopters will be used for ensuring security
the UH-2 offers enhanced performance, safety, at sea, search and rescue, responding maritime disasters, and
and efficiency and is based on Bell’s 412EPI. It transportation of many loads and share commonalities with the
will be used by the JGSDF for island defence Japan Coast Guard’s Bell 412EP helicopters. The Subaru Bell 412
and disaster relief efforts. EPX however, provides better operational capability and efficiency
with improved performance such as extended hover ceiling and
The UH-2 has been developed by Subaru by increased useful load.
leveraging Subaru’s Bell 412EPX which is its latest
civilian helicopter in production and remodelled
for a Japan Ministry of Defence specification.
Subaru has established a new production line
for the UH-2 for the Japanese MoD and the
Subaru Bell 412EPX at its Utsunomiya Plant to
expand defence business as well as commercial
helicopter sales both for Japan and interna-
tional markets. Subaru had delivered the first
prototype of the UH-2 in February 2019 and
flight tests began in December 2018. The first
production version of the new utility helicop-
ter completed its flight tests in May 2022. The
utility helicopter (UH-X) contract was originally
awarded to Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI) by the
Japan MoD in September 2015 for developing
a prototype of the next-generation utility heli-
copter for the JGSDF.

The Subaru Bell 412EPX benefits from propri-
etary laser peening technology applied to
enhance the main rotor gearbox, delivering a
robust main rotor gearbox dry run capability
and increased internal Maximum Gross Weight
and improved mast torque output to provide
operators the ability to transport more sup-
plies and achieve better operational efficiency.
According to Subaru, transmission improve-
ments have resulted in a 11 per cent increase
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