#repost @iaf_in_ia ---In my opinion, the ShinMaywa US-2 is a completely underrated beast of an aircraft. Derived from the PS-1 that was first flown in 1971, the US-2 has been extensively modernized with new engines, props, avionics, and other systems. While the original ShinMaywa was designed solely for search & rescue operations, the newer US-2 can be fitted with a water bombing system, enabling it to fill its water tanks on the water surface and then drop it onto a fire. This effectively makes it a giant Viking Air CL-415 water bomber. For example, while the CL-415 can carry and drop 13,500lbs (6123kg) of water, the US-2 can carry and drop over twice the amount - 30,000lbs (13607kg). I suspect, however, that the complexity of the US-2 may preclude it from conducting firefighting operations in a cost-effective manner. The US-2's systems, for example, are far more extensive and complex than the Cl-415's. It employs an on-board 1,563 hp turbine engine solely to power the boundary-layer control (BLC) system. The BLC system routes compressed air over various wing and control surfaces to increase lift at speeds that would otherwise be below the aircraft's stall speed. In effect, the BLC creates an artificial headwind over parts of the wing, and this enables the massive 99,000lb (45,000kg) aircraft to fly as slowly as 48 knots. Additionally, the US-2 was engineered to take off and land in extremely rough water. While the Cl-415 can operate in waves up to 6 feet (2m) in height, the US-2 can handle 9 ft (3m) waves without a problem. Finally, the US-2 has, for some reason, a pressurized cabin. I can't figure out exactly when or why a giant firefighting amphibian would ever fly at altitudes that would require pressurization. In any case, I wonder if ShinMaywa could secure more orders for the firefighting variant of the US-2 if they were to strip some of the unnecessary systems from the aircraft and offer a lighter Repost @cessnateur #iaf_in_ia #aviation #avgeek #aviationgeek #aviationphotography #aviationlovers #militaryaviation #photooftheday #pictureoftheday #tbt #ww3 #boeing #india #usaf #russia #pilot #militaryporn #militaryplane #missile #hypersonicmissile #b2 (at India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKLD29qB6NS/?igshid=cjuq3r6ixmgz
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