ShinMaywa Industries, best known for its US-2 four-engine short takeoff and landing (STOL) amphibious aircraft, is displaying the XU-M — a small, unmanned prototype based on the company’s long-standing amphibious aircraft technology at the ongoing show. The aircraft made its...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
ShinMaywa Industries, best known for its US-2 four-engine short takeoff and landing (STOL) amphibious aircraft, is displaying the XU-M — a small, unmanned prototype based on the company’s long-standing amphibious aircraft technology at the ongoing show. The aircraft made its maiden flight in August 2024 and is now part of an ongoing development programme aimed at exploring the future of unmanned maritime aviation.
The XU-M, short for eXperimental Unmanned / Utility aircraft – Marine type, is designed to support research into sensing and control technologies for STOL flying boats. It also serves as a testbed for remote operation and data collection related to maritime environments. The project reflects ShinMaywa’s ambition to extend the utility of amphibious aircraft into autonomous operations, particularly in challenging oceanic conditions.
Compact in scale, the XU-M measures three metres in length, four metres in wingspan, and just under one metre in height. It is powered by a twin-motor propulsion system with propellers and has an operating weight of under 25 kilograms. The aircraft cruises at approximately 17 metres per second. Although modest in performance, the design and capabilities are tailored for test and research roles, particularly in developing technologies for future amphibious unmanned systems.
According to ShinMaywa, the XU-M is expected to contribute towards addressing broad societal challenges such as resource monitoring, energy management, maritime security, and the logistical demands posed by population decline in remote coastal and island areas. By leveraging STOL amphibious capabilities, the aircraft can take off and land on water surfaces, offering unique flexibility in vast maritime regions where traditional infrastructure is limited or non-existent.
The development of the XU-M underscores ShinMaywa’s broader commitment to advancing its amphibious technology portfolio, not just for crewed aircraft like the US-2, but also in the unmanned domain. While no operational timeline has been announced, the current prototype represents a significant step towards integrating autonomous capabilities with proven maritime aviation platforms.
Airbus has had a hugely successful week, racking up almost US $21 billion in deals and contracts at the Paris…
MTU Aero Engines closed its participation at this year’s edition of the Paris Air Show with record engine orders worth…
Indian state-owned airframer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into an agreement with Safran Aircraft Engines, for the industrialization and…
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and Electra.aero, Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities for Electra's EL9 ultra-short…
As demand grows and talent pipeline pressures mount, the need to drive at least 30 to 40 per cent greater…
With airframers not able to meet production targets this year and unlikely to do so in the next two years…
Leonardo and Avioane Craiova have signed a "Technological and Industrial Cooperation Agreement" during the Paris Air Show, aimed at deepening…
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has confirmed the sale of one Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft to the United…
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has selected Daher as one of five companies to develop a Medium Altitude Long…
The Norwegian Air Ambulance has entered into a new frame contract with Airbus for up to eight H145 helicopters, including…
Eve Air Mobility has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Future Flight Global, a pioneer in electric aircraft, for…
EGYPTAIR has disclosed a firm order for an additional six A350-900s as part of its expansion strategy to meet growing…
Embraer has received a firm order from SkyWestfor 60 aircraft with purchase rights on 50 additional aircraft. Deliveries of the…
Four French aerospace companies - Daher, Safran, Collins Aerospace and Ascendance - are joining hands to study and define a…
The French defence procurement agency, Direction générale de l'armement (DGA), has inked a joint declaration of intent with Saab regarding…
Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo announced at the ongoing Paris Air Show that they would join forces to carry out an…
Sikorsky and CAE announced at Le Bourget on the third day of the Paris Air Show that they would be…
Aerospace and national security company, SNC, and Lufthansa Technik have announced a strategic partnership to enhance their combined capabilities in…
STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has signed a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of ten additional A350-1000 aircraft, taking…
The Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania has chosen the Embraer C-390 Millennium as the country’s next-generation military transport aircraft.…
Embraer signed Component Pool Program contracts with multiple airlines on the third day of the ongoing Paris Air Show. Currently,…
Embraer and Amelia, an airline operated by the France based Regourd Aviation Group, has signed an extensive services agreement, including…
Embraer and CAE are expanding their full-flight simulator network with the deployment of a state-of-the-art E2 full-flight simulator (FFS) at…
Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technology, a…
Lockheed Martin has confirmed a major advancement in the structural longevity of its C-130J Super Hercules, following a wing durability…
Airlink, Southern Africa’s leading full-service carrier, has announced plans to lease 10 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft from Azorra, a US-based…
Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure Ltd (RAL), a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, unveiled a strategic partnership to manufacture Falcon 2000…
In a move to bolster European defence capabilities, Quantum Systems and Airbus Defence and Space have signed a Memorandum of…
Air Astana Group carriers have continued their winning streak at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, held during the Paris…
Embraer has secured a firm order from SkyWest, Inc. for 60 E175 aircraft, with options for an additional 50. Deliveries…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.