FORCETALLY
Loading the evidence…
Preparing your view.
Preparing your view.
Support aircraftIn service
Military transport aircraft
Kawasaki C-1 is a military transport aircraft originating in Japan. It was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Reported operators include Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
JapanTechnical data
Military transport aircraft
Japan
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Retired
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
31
December 1974
12 November 1970
15 March 2025
2 flight crew and 3 mission crew
8,000 kg (18,000 lb) normal payload
29 m (95 ft 2 in)
30.6 m (100 ft 5 in)
9.99 m (32 ft 9 in)
120.5 m 2 (1,297 sq ft)
7.8
23,220 kg (51,191 lb)
38,700 kg (85,319 lb)
15,200 L (4,000 US gal; 3,300 imp gal) in 4 integral tanks in the wings
2 × Pratt & Whitney JT8D -M-9 ( Mitsubishi -built) low-bypass turbofans , 64 kN (14,500 lbf) thrust each
806 km/h (501 mph, 435 kn) at 7,620 m (25,000 ft) at 35,450 kg (78,150 lb)
657 km/h (408 mph, 355 kn) at 10,670 m (35,010 ft) at 35,450 kg (78,150 lb)
3,353 km (2,083 mi, 1,810 nmi) with max fuel & 2,300 kg (5,100 lb) payload
11,580 m (37,990 ft)
17.75 m/s (3,494 ft/min) at sea level
321.2 kg/m 2 (65.8 lb/sq ft)
0.003 kN/kg (0.34 lbf/lb)
The Kawasaki C-1 (川崎 C-1) is a twin-engined short-range military transport aircraft developed and manufactured by the Japanese conglomerate Kawasaki Heavy Industries .
Development of the C-1 commenced in 1966 in response to a requirement from the JASDF, which sought an indigenous jet-powered replacement for its aging Second World War –era Curtiss C-46 Commando transport fleet. First flown on 12 November 1970, quantity production of the type commenced during the following year. The C-1 has formed the backbone of the JASDF's transport capability throughout the latter half of the twentieth century and the initial years of the twenty-first century as well. During the 2010s, Kawasaki developed a newer, larger, and longer-range airlifter, the Kawasaki C-2 , which will eventually replace the JASDF's C-1 fleet entirely.
In terms of its basic configuration, the C-1 is a twin-engine medium-range airlifter, somewhat resembling the larger Lockheed C-141 Starlifter . It is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney JT8D -M-9 low-bypass turbofan engines, which were locally manufactured under license by Mitsubishi, each capable of generating up to 64 kN (14,500 lbf) of thrust. In terms of payload capacity, a single C-1 could carry up to 80 fully-equipped troops, 45 paratroopers , or 36 stretcher-bound personnel, in addition to bulky cargo, including a whole truck or a pair of jeeps , which would be loaded via a ramp deployed at the airlifter's rear. It was designed to be typically operated by a crew of five, comprising two pilots, a flight engineer , a navigator , and a loadmaster. The C-1 incorporates a high-lift system, which includes aerodynamic features such as a leading edge slat and a four-stage Fowler flap , facilitates a high level of short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance, while day-and-night all-weather operations are achieved via the application of numerous electronic navigation systems.
The maximum range of C-1 caused a problem after the island of Okinawa was returned to Japan from the United States; the airlifter was unable to fly directly to Okinawa from most parts of the Japanese home islands. This may have been a factor in the decision to reduce the planned procurement of the C-1 in favour of the American-built C-130H Hercules utility transport aircraft instead, which entered service with the JASDF's 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron in 1989. Another reason for the curtailment was the enactment of general cutbacks upon various military programmes and procurement initiatives during the 1970s.
The last five C-1s ordered were fitted with an additional 4,730-litre fuel tank.
Two C-1s of the 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron crashed near Toba, Mie when the lead two airplanes of a formation of 5 en route from Komaki Air Base to Iruma Air Base flew into a hill while flying in low visibility at low altitude. A third airplane narrowly avoided also crashing and struck trees, but was able to return to Komaki Air Base. Fourteen personnel were killed in these two aircraft, six personnel in airplane 68-1015 and eight in aircraft 58–1009.
A C-1 crashed into the sea of Japan's west coast during a test flight with five personnel on board. There were no survivors.
Capacity: 8,000 kg (18,000 lb) normal payload
Length: 29 m (95 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 30.6 m (100 ft 5 in)
Height: 9.99 m (32 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 120.5 m 2 (1,297 sq ft)
Empty weight: 23,220 kg (51,191 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 38,700 kg (85,319 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney JT8D -M-9 ( Mitsubishi -built) low-bypass turbofans , 64 kN (14,500 lbf) thrust each
Maximum speed: 806 km/h (501 mph, 435 kn) at 7,620 m (25,000 ft) at 35,450 kg (78,150 lb)
Cruise speed: 657 km/h (408 mph, 355 kn) at 10,670 m (35,010 ft) at 35,450 kg (78,150 lb)
Range: 3,353 km (2,083 mi, 1,810 nmi) with max fuel & 2,300 kg (5,100 lb) payload
Service ceiling: 11,580 m (37,990 ft)
Rate of climb: 17.75 m/s (3,494 ft/min) at sea level
Kawasaki C-1 Japan transport 1973 in use 5 third, indigenous, post-WWII aircraft programme in Japan, also used for electronic warfare (EC-1) - replaced C-46
Reference text from Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
True scale
Sourced dimensions beside a 1.75 m human reference.
See it in your room. Scan with your phone to open this model in 3D, then place it in your space.
Points represent sourced observations, including revisions. Revisions on the same effective date are not separate inventory events. Ranges appear in the table and are not plotted as exact points.
| Observation / report period | Value | Source | Claim state |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sept 2026 | 9.99 m | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
Kawasaki C-1 equipment records. Variants, orders and quantities are shown as reported in each inventory source; coverage is incomplete.
JapanReported count for Kawasaki C-1. Country-wide list; no individual service specified. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): total: 5. Origin: Japan. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
Keep exploring
Military transport aircraft
JapanCompare with Kawasaki C-1 Military transport aircraft
ItalyCompare with Kawasaki C-1 Military transport aircraft
ItalyCompare with Kawasaki C-1 Military transport aircraft
Ukrainemilitary transport aircraft
Compare with Kawasaki C-1Military transport aircraft
Compare with Kawasaki C-1