Group : Utility & Transport Helicopters
Status : Under Development
Origin : Japan
Contractors : Fuji Heavy Industries*, Bell Textron
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2021
First Flight : 2016
Total Production : 150

Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force’s (JGSDF) UH-X is a multi-purpose helicopter derived from the Bell 412EPI aircraft and intended for island defense and disaster relief efforts. The new aircraft is intended as the replacement for the UH-1J and will offer low lifecycle costs, high reliability and availability rates while performing critical life-saving missions. Besides, the JGSDF requirements call for enhanced performance, safety, and efficiency. The JGSDF selected the Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) proposal on September 2, 2015, with 150 aircraft to be delivered beginning in 2021. Bell Helicopter will serve as the main subcontractor within the Fuji-Bell UH-X program. The Fuji-Bell UH-X aircraft will be manufactured at the FHI facility in Utsunomiya, Japan.