In 1961, work began on a new maritime patrol platform for the nation of Japan. Instead of heavily investing in the more modern, but cost prohibitive, Lockheed P-3 "Orion" being offered by the Americans, it was decided to develop a turboprop-powered version of the Lockheed P-2 "Neptune" with slight changes implemented to suit the Japanese requirement. The aircraft would serve the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) from introduction in 1969 until retirement in 1996. Production yielded 83 examples from the period spanning 1966 to 1979.
A P-2H (P2V-7) airframe was used for the modification and a first flight of a prototype was recorded on July 21st, 1966. Since local Japanese industry was already engaged in license-production of the General Electric T64-10 series turboprop engine, replacing the Neptune's radial installations to the new engines was made easier. Each unit outputted at 2,850 horsepower and drove four-bladed propeller systems. Beyond the conventional powerplants, the new Japanese version of the aircraft was outfitted with J3-IHI-7C series turbojets for improved performance and avionics were all-modern. The changes produced an aircraft that was slightly longer than the original USN entry with greater surface area at the tailplanes and more internal volume for more fuel.
The aircraft was adopted by the JMSDF as the P-2J "Neptune". Despite the listed changes, the origins to the aircraft were readily apparent: the fuselage retained its slim profile and slab-sided approach. The flight deck sat behind and over the nose, both sections glazed over for good vision out-of-the-aircraft. Wings were mid-mounted monoplanes and each held an engine nacelle along the leading edge. The wings also showcased a noticeable amount of dihedral (upward angle) with tips carrying mission-pertinent equipment. Pods were also affixed under each wing just outboard of each engine nacelle. A ventral blister along the forward section of the fuselage housed a radome. The tail unit was conventional with its single vertical tail fin and low-set horizontal planes. The undercarriage utilized a three-point stance and was wholly retractable.
Original in-service models were known simply as "P-2J" and this constituted the sole prototype example and a further 82 "new-build" aircraft. Two of this stock were then converted for the ELectronic INTelligence (ELINT) role under the "EP-2J" designation. "UP-2J" represented four P-2J airframes converted to serve various drone-related functions.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Special-Mission: Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Equipped to search, track, and engage enemy underwater elements by way of specialized onboard equipment and weapons.
✓Special-Mission: Anti-Ship
Equipped to search, track, and engage enemy surface elements through visual acquisition, radar support, and onboard weaponry.
✓Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
Length
95.9 ft (29.23 m)
Width/Span
101.3 ft (30.87 m)
Height
29.3 ft (8.93 m)
Empty Wgt
42,505 lb (19,280 kg)
MTOW
75,001 lb (34,020 kg)
Wgt Diff
+32,496 lb (+14,740 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Kawasaki P-2J Neptune production variant)
Installed:
2 x IHI (General Electric) T64-10 turboprop engines developing 2,850 horsepower each with 2 x Ishikawajima-Harima J3-IHI-7C turbojet engines developing 3,085 lb of thrust each.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Kawasaki P-2J Neptune production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
OPTIONAL:
Up to 8,000 lb of torpedoes, depth charges, rockets, or conventional drop bombs.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 2
P-2J - Base Series Designation
P2V-Kai - Original product designation
EP-2J - ELINT models converted from P-2J; two examples.
UP-2J - Drone support platform; four examples converted from P-2J stock.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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