Participated In Training Exercise With Japan GSDF

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced its participation in a practical training exercise in conjunction with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Asaka Garrison, the goal of which was to improve response capabilities in the event of an earthquake centered in the Tokyo metro area.

The  exercise was held in collaboration with the local governments, and MHI was invited to participate by the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association, or JUIDA. MHI was tasked to  perform transport of relief supplies to isolated disaster victims using both its medium-sized multi-rotor UAS being developed by its Commercial Aviation Systems Division as well as with the larger VTOL UAV under development by the Integrated Defense & Space Systems Division.

The mid-size UAV is electric powered and intended for a variety of missions including transport of disaster relief supplies, logistical support to remote areas, and transport of construction materials for power transmission towers.

It is equipped with a cargo hoist that can raise and lower supplies and materials from a hover. That capability was demonstrated during the exercise. Future plans include the integration of satellite communications and extending the cruise range using a hybrid propulsion system.

The larger UAV is powered by a hybrid propulsion system consisting of electric motors for vertical operations and a fueled engine for horizontal flight. It is being developed for the same general range of purposes as the mid-size vehicle, but will have greater speed, range, and cargo capacity. These will enable its use for delivering large amounts of relief supplies to remote islands and potentially maritime deliveries in emergencies. It has a longer range of up to 1,000 km / 540 nm.

MHI plans to continue the development of both vehicles with the goal of optimizing their capabilities and integrations to meet the demands of multi-role vehicles that can be used in a variety of situations and environments.

FMI:  www.mhi.com/