History of the business

History of the business TOP

As well as developing and manufacturing aircraft such as the P-1 fixed-wing patrol aircraft and the C-2 transport aircraft for the Ministry of Defense, the Aerospace Business also participates in international development and production projects for commercial aircraft, such as the Boeing 787. We’ve also had a hand in helicopters, such as the best-selling BK117 model, as well as space equipment such as fairings for the H-IIA and H-3 rockets.

• 1918/ Taisho 7

  Beginning aircraft production

  Aircraft and automobile departments were established at Kawasaki Dockyard’s Hyogo Works.

  

  The aircraft factory that was at Hyogo Works

• 1922/ Taisho 11

  Establishment of factory at Kakamigahara

  The aircraft department was removed from the control of Hyogo Works and became the aircraft division under the direct control of the head office, with the Kakamigahara Branch Works being established. (Start of Gifu Works)

  

  Kakamigahara Works opening ceremony

• 1922/ Taisho 11

  Japanese army adopts Salmson 2A-2 as Type Otsu 1 Surveillance Airplane

  Approximately 300 were manufactured at Hyogo Works.

  

  Type Otsu 1 Surveillance Airplane

• 1923/ Taisho 12

  Completion of airplane assembly factory
  Start as Kakamigahara Branch Works

• 1926/ Taisho 15

  Completion of Type Dornier all-metal heavy bomber, Japanese army adopts it as Type 87 heavy bomber

  It was Japan’s first large-size all-metal plane, with approximately 26 being produced by 1932.

  

  Type 87 heavy bomber

• 1927/ Showa 2

  Aircraft Division renamed Aircraft Works

  The Aircraft Division became an independent factory directly under the head office and was renamed Aircraft Works.

• 1935/ Showa 10

  Japanese army adopts Ki-10 as regular Type 95 fighters

  Mass production began in 1937, and approximately 580 units of Type 1 and Type 2 had been produced by the end of 1938.

  

  Type 95 fighters

• 1937/ Showa 12

  Kakamigahara Branch Works upgraded to Kakamigahara Works
  Establishment of Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd.

  Equipment and staff (about 1200 people) were transferred to Kakamigahara from Kobe, and an opening ceremony for Kakamigahara Works was held.
  Kawasaki Dockyard Aircraft Works was spun off, and Shosuke Itani was appointed as its first president.

  

  Kakamigahara Works opening ceremony

• 1939/ Showa 14

  Kakamigahara Works renamed Gifu Works

• 1940/ Showa 15

  Japanese army adopts Ki-48 as regular Type 99 twin-engine light bombers
  Adopts Type 1 cargo plane as a standard aircraft

  1977 units were produced since mass production started in 1940.

• 1940/ Showa 15

  Opening of Akashi Works for increased production

• 1941/ Showa 16

  Birth of Hien

  Test flights were started for the first prototype model of the Ki-61 (Type 3 fighter: Hien).

  

  First Type 3 fighter prototype

• 1942/ Showa 17

  Ki-61 adopted as regular Type-3 fighters
  Mass production begins

  Approximately 3000 were produced by the end of the war.

  

  Type 3 fighter (Hien)

• 1945/ Showa 20

  Ban on aircraft production due to the end of the war

  Gifu Works suffered devastating damage in repeated air raids.
  We were forced to convert to being a civilian industry due to the end of the war.

• 1952/ Showa 27

  Restarting of aircraft business

  The prohibition on the production of aircraft was lifted when the Treaty of Peace with Japan became effective. We used this as an opportunity to gather engineers and start designing aircraft such as liaison planes, but the seven-year gap was larger than imagined.

• 1953/ Showa 28

  Maiden flight of KAL-1 liaison plane

  Two prototypes were made, and one was delivered to the Ground Self-Defense Force.

  

  KAL-1 liaison plane

• 1954/ Showa 29

  Revival of Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd.

  Kawasaki Aircraft Co., Ltd. absorbed Kawasaki Machine Industry and Kawasaki Gifu Works.

• 1956/ Showa 31

  Entering into a T-33 training jet manufacture contract with the Japan Defense Agency

  We started test flights of the T-33 training jets, and we constructed a new building at the southern factory for the domestication of production.

  

  First T-33A training jet public opening

• 1957/ Showa 32

  Starting production of Japanese aircraft industry's first large aircraft since the war

  We entered into a technical assistance agreement with Lockheed Co. in regard to the manufacture of the P2V-7 anti-submarine patrol aircraft.

  

  Delivery of the first P2V-7 anti-submarine patrol aircraft

• 1959/ Showa 34

  Licensed production of large-scale helicopter

  We entered into a technical tie-up with Vertol Co. of the United States, and completed the Kawasaki Vertol KV-107 II Type large-scale helicopter.

  

  Kawasaki Vertol KV-107 II Type large-scale helicopter

• 1966/ Showa 41

  Maiden flight of the P2V-Kai (Later known as the P-2J)

  A converted aircraft with retrofitted engines, extended fuselage, and redesigned exterior appearance and equipment. It became a stepping stone to postwar aircraft development. Approximately eighty-two units were produced by 1979.

  

  Maiden flight of P2V-Kai

• 1969/ Showa 44

  Merger of three Kawasaki companies

  Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kawasaki Aircraft, and Kawasaki Rolling Stock Manufacturing were merged and newly launched as Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
  The goal of this was to expand the scale of the company, consolidate capital, and make comprehensive use of human resources, technological capabilities, and facilities.

• 1970/ Showa 45

  Maiden flight of C-1 transport aircraft, which becomes the first transport jet developed in Japan

  Approximately 31 were produced by 1981, including prototypes.

• 1977/ Showa 52

  Signing of agreement with MBB of Germany for joint development of BK117 twin-engine helicopter

  Our company had been aiming for independent development, but chose to do international joint development in the end.

  

  Assembly of the BK117 helicopter

• 1978/ Showa 53

  Determination to be the main contractor for domesticating production of the P-3C
  Signing technical assistance agreement with Lockheed Co. for domesticating production of the P-3C

  The contract was not only a production license, but also allowed for independent specification changes, making updates and additions to onboard equipment, as well as corresponding renovations to the aircraft.

  

  Delivery ceremony of the first P-3C anti-submarine patrol aircraft

• 1979/ Showa 54

  Maiden flight of BK117 prototype
  Receiving designation by Science and Technology Agency to be the main contractor for practical STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft

  The BK117 was the first Japanese-made helicopter to acquire a type certification.

  

  Maiden flight of the BK117 at Gifu Works

• 1979/ Showa 54

  Beginning manufacture of assigned parts for the B767 passenger jet

  It started as an international joint development project with Boeing, and production continues to the present time.

• 1981/ Showa 56

  Development and mass production of XT-4 intermediate trainer aircraft

  We were designated by the Japan Defense Agency to be the main contractor for the MTX (intermediate trainer aircraft). The Defense Agency aimed to improve the efficiency of the training system for jet pilots through the development of this aircraft.

  

  XT-4 intermediate trainer aircraft

• 1982/ Showa 57

  Delivery of first Japanese-made P-3C anti-submarine patrol aircraft

  As the successor to the P-2J, approximately 98 units were produced by 1997, including converted aircraft.

  

  Delivery ceremony for the first P-3C anti-submarine patrol aircraft

• 1985/ Showa 60

  Maiden flight of the 100% domestically produced T-4 intermediate trainer aircraft

  As the successor to the T-1 and T-33, a total of 212 units were delivered by 2003. It was later also adopted as an aircraft of Blue Impulse.

  

  Maiden flight of the first XT-4 prototype

• 1985/ Showa 60

  Maiden flight of STOL experimental aircraft (Asuka)

  Remodeled based on the C-1 transport aircraft, this was the first medium-sized jet aircraft in Japan to be 100% domestically produced, including the airframe and engines.

  

  STOL experimental aircraft

• 1986/ Showa 61

  Licensed production of transport helicopter CH-47J

  Production started in 1986, we delivered the 100th unit in 2017, and production still continues to the present day.

  

  CH-47J Large transport helicopter

• 1992/ Heisei 4

  Development of new small observation helicopter, XOH-1

  Our company was nominated to be in charge of developing the XOH-1, a new small observation helicopter.

• 1993/ Heisei 5

  First delivery of Boeing 777 fuselage panels

  A ceremony was held at Nagoya Works 1 to celebrate the first delivery. We delivered fuselage panels for the 1000th unit of the best-selling 777 in 2011.

  

  Delivery ceremony for the components of the first unit

• 1996/ Heisei 8

  Maiden flight of observation helicopter (XOH-1)

  As Japan’s first entirely domestically produced observation helicopter, 38 were produced by 2012.

  

  Maiden flight of the first XOH-1 new small observation helicopter prototype

• 1998/ Heisei 10

  Being jointly awarded the Howard Hughes Award with the Japan Defense Agency

  We received this award from the American Helicopter Society (now the Vertical Flight Society) for technological achievements accomplished with the OH-1. This was the first time it was awarded to a country other than the United States.

  

  Receiving the Howard Hughes Award

• 2000/ Heisei 12

  Beginning manufacture of assigned parts for the Embraer 170

  By being responsible for the development and design of the main wings of commercial aircraft, as well as mass production and product support, we were able to accumulate valuable experience and knowledge in areas we couldn’t have acquired with conventional aircraft.

  

  Embraer 170 manufactured parts

• 2001/ Heisei 13

  Nomination from the Japan Defense Agency to be the main corporation responsible for the development of the next-generation fixed-wing patrol aircraft and next-generation transport aircraft technology

  The Japan Defense Agency (at the time) requested aircraft engine manufacturers for the simultaneous and shared-use development of the P-X next-generation fixed-wing patrol aircraft for the Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the C-X next-generation transport aircraft for the Air Self-Defense Force. Our company was nominated to be the main contracted company for the aircraft.

  

  Rollout ceremony for P-X and C-X

• 2003/ Heisei 15

  NIPPI Corporation becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary

  Due to becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary, a division of functions was established, with Atsugi Plant becoming responsible for maintenance, and Yokohama Plant becoming responsible for the production of components for defense and civilian sectors.

• 2006/ Heisei 18

  Delivery of first MCH-101 minesweeping and transport helicopter for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

  

  MCH-101

• 2007/ Heisei 19

  Successful maiden flight of first prototype of the next-generation fixed-wing patrol aircraft (XP-1)

  

  Next-generation fixed-wing patrol aircraft (XP-1)

• 2010/ Heisei 22

  Successful maiden flight of first prototype of next-generation transport aircraft (XC-2) for the Ministry of Defense

  

  Next-generation transport aircraft (XC-2) for the Ministry of Defense

• 2011/ Heisei 23

  Awarded Boeing Supplier of the Year (Major Structure category)

  

  Boeing Supplier of the Year

• 2012/ Heisei 24

  Reaching a total of 1,000 units delivered for the BK117 multipurpose twin-engine helicopter

  

  Reaching a total of 1,000 units delivered for the BK117

• 2013/ Heisei 25

  Delivery of first mass-produced P-1 fixed-wing patrol aircraft for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

  

  First mass-produced P-1 fixed-wing patrol aircraft

• 2014/ Heisei 26

  Memorandum for participation in the development and mass production of the 777X, a large next-generation passenger airplane
  The Japan Aircraft Development Corporation and five Japanese companies sign with Boeing

• 2015/ Heisei 27

  Construction of new factory for the Boeing 777X at Nagoya Works 1

  

  New factory for the Boeing 777X

• 2016/ Heisei 28

  Delivery of first mass-produced C-2 transport aircraft for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force

  

  First mass-produced C-2 transport aircraft

• 2017/ Heisei 29

  Completion of our company’s first aircraft parts production line at the KMM Lincoln Plant in the United States

  

  Aircraft parts production line

• 2018/ Heisei 30

  Starting delivery of fuselage panels for the first Boeing 777X

  

  Ceremony for delivery of fuselage panels for the first Boeing 777X

• 2019/ Heisei 31

  Completion of new low-speed wind tunnels for aircraft research and development

  

  New low-speed wind tunnels for aircraft research and development -1

  

  New low-speed wind tunnels for aircraft research and development -2

• 2020/ Reiwa 2

  World’s first delivery of newest-model helicopter H145//BK117 D-3 jointly developed with Airbus Helicopter

  The BK117 helicopter is a medium-sized twin-engine helicopter used for purposes such as emergency medical services, firefighting, disaster prevention, police, news reporting, and cargo transport.

  

  H145//BK117 D-3

• 2021/ Reiwa 3

  Successful proof of concept for unmanned cargo transport using unmanned VTOL aircraft and delivery robot

  Kawasaki Heavy Industries: K-RACER and delivery robot collaborative flight test

• 2022/ Reiwa 4

  Gifu Works celebrates 100th anniversary

  Kakamigahara Branch Works opened in 1922 and celebrated its 100th anniversary on September 7, 2022. We published a commemorative video and “Gifu Works 100-Year History.”

  Kawasaki Heavy Industries: Video commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Gifu Works

• 2022/ Reiwa 4

  Delivery of fairing for first test flight of H3 rocket

  A payload fairing was delivered for the first test flight of the H3 rocket. The fairing’s design and manufacturing of parts was done at Gifu Works, then assembled at Harima Works before being delivered to the Tanegashima Space Center.　

• 2023/ Reiwa 5

  Starting to provide Z-Leg™, an easy-to-use one-stop air travel arrangement service

  This is a service that makes complicated helicopter arrangements easy to do online. By just entering the date, time, departure location, and destination, it will be possible to arrange everything required for air travel, including not only a helicopter, but also taxi/car hire reservations for before and after the flight.

  Pressrelease

• 2023/ Reiwa 5

  Successful demonstration of in-orbit technologies by the demonstration satellite, Debris Removal Unprecedented Micro Satellite (DRUMS)

  In the in-orbit operation of DRUMS, a demonstration satellite developed by our company, we have successfully demonstrated the technology it uses to autonomously track and approach mock debris, and extend its trapping mechanism.

  

  Debris removal demonstration satellite, DRUMS