27 Oct 15. UK drops P-8 Poseidon Purchase? Sources close to BATTLESPACE suggested at AUSA that the UK was close to placing an order for up to 9 Boeing P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft as soon as the ink was dry on the forthcoming SDSR. However, reports in the Sunday Times on November 1st suggest that the UK MoD has dropped plans to acquire the P-8 citing price issues on the £2bn deal(equivalent to circa £100m per aircraft). The feature goes on to say that the MoD is looking at an interim solution offered by Airbus for the C-295 or Lockheed Martin with a converted C-130J. However other sources said that given the close working relationships and agreement with Japan, the UK may opt to place an order for Kawasaki P-1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. This would suit BAE Systems which BATTLESPACE believe has visited Japan in recent months with a view to being Prime on the deal and Fujitsu which supplies the Mission System for the current Japanese Kawasaki P-1s. It is worth repeating what we said during our DSEI coverage.(BATTLESPACE EXHIBITION NEWS Vol.17 ISSUE 04, 17 September 2015, DSEI Day 2 Fujitsu supplies Kawasaki P1) 17 Sep 15. ‘Fujitsu bidding to become a major supplier to the Japanese Kawasaki P1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the UK MPA Requirement. One buzz doing the rounds at DSEI was the expected bid by Kawasaki with its P1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the much mooted UK Nimrod Replacement MPA Programme. The P-1, which flew at this year’s RIAT, is a turbofan-powered design, and has four podded IHI F7-10 turbofan engines under the low-set wings. The Japanese Navy has ordered 33 P1s with 4 having been delivered and another 8 following on.
“Fujitsu provides a major element of the P1 system.” Tim Gibson told the Editor. “We provide the crew stations and exploitive software package and mission system as well as advanced TI cameras which can see through rain and cloud. Once a target is identified its parameters can be fed into the Jane’s system to identify the type of vessel. Fujitsu also supply the 300×86 blade computers also used on Japanese submarines and surface vessels. Using GaN (gallium nitride) these computers are faster, more compact and use less power than conventional rugged system. We expect Fujitsu in the UK to support the Japanese bid for the Programme which will be handled on a Government-to Government basis.”
The P-X and C-X designs were originally independent, but it was later decided to make some components common to both designs. Common components shared with the C-X include cockpit windows, outer wings, and horizontal stabilizer. Internal shared parts include the auxiliary power unit, cockpit panel, flight control system computer, anti-collision lights, and gear control unit. Development costs were reduced by about 25bn yen (US$218m) through shared components, and operation maintenance costs should also be reduced. The P-1 has an artificial intelligence (AI) system to assist TACCO operation. Similar to the SH-60K, an advanced combat direction system directs the TACCO operator to the best flight course to attack a submarine. Fly-by-light is an important feature, decreasing electro-magnetic disturbances to the sensors compared to fly-by-wire. The P-1 is the first production aircraft to be equipped with such a flight control system. Sensors on the P-1, such as Toshiba HPS-106 active electronically scanned array using four antennas for 360 degree coverage (AESA), magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), and Infrared/Light detection systems, will be used to detect submarines and small vessels. The P-1 has a large bomb bay for anti-submarine weapons, as well as eight external pylons to carry ASMs or bombs. (Wikipedia)
“The P1 has a greater range than the US P-8 Poseidon and can operate at lower altitude and slower speeds which is a great advantage for anti-submarine work.” Takumi Kobayashi, from Kawasaki’s P1 Project Office told the Editor.’
London is the Headquarters for all Fujitsu’s Defence operations and Fujits