Kawasaki OH-1 Ninja
Summary
| Category | Helicopter |
| Origin country | 🇯🇵 Japan |
| First flight | 6 August 1996 |
| Year of introduction | 2000 |
| Number produced | 38 units |
Description
The Kawasaki OH-1 Ninja is a military aircraft developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries for the Japan Defense Forces. The OH-1 Ninja was designed as a reconnaissance and observation helicopter to replace outdated models currently in service. The aircraft features a lightweight airframe, advanced avionics systems, and a twin-engine configuration for enhanced performance. Its primary mission is to gather intelligence, conduct surveillance, and provide target acquisition capabilities during military operations. The OH-1 Ninja has been exclusively deployed by the Japan Defense Forces and has shown operational effectiveness in various scenarios, contributing to their reconnaissance and support capabilities.
Technical specifications
| Version: OH-1 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 2 members |
| Maximum speed | 278 km/h (173 mph) |
| Height | 3.8 m (12.5 ft) |
| Length | 12 m (39.4 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 4880 m (16010 ft) |
| Empty weight | 2450 kg (5401 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 4000 kg (8818 lbs) |
| Powerplant | 2 × turbines Mitsubishi TS1-M-10 delivering 664 kW |
Current operating countries
| Country | Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Japan | 36 | |
Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.