Kawasaki P-1
by Mars-Bound_Hokie
uploaded 2025-01-07
14 downloads /
1
points
SPH
stock aircraft
#japan #patrol #ace #p1

A Kawasaki P-1 flying high over the ocean for the cruise test.

  • Normally, it would fly slower and as low as one kilometer while on patrol. That way, it would better detect submarines with the magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) at the tail as well as reduce the risk of damage to any sonobuoys dropped.
  • Though K'walski is the majority operator of P-1s, it is seeking to place them within Kerbin’s military. Additionally, it is hoping to secure bids with other regions that may need maritime patrol aircraft, like Nye Island’s Regional Guard.
  • The P-1’s manufacturers had already sold three to the Kerbal Space Program to assist in recovering debris that had splashed down.

The Kawasaki P-1 on display in the SPH.

  • DO NOT hit the staging button after the engines have been activated; the parachute in the back is for aesthetic only. Although I set the minimum pressure to 0.75 (the highest setting) and the altitude to 50 (lowest), I don’t want to take any chances and have the parachute deploy by mistake.
  • The engine nacelles alone were closer to looking like the real-life P-1’s engines than a circular intake and Mk1 liquid fuel tank. However, thanks to nacelles’ reduced fuel and the Z-1k batteries ruining the aesthetic, this move came at the cost of reduced range and charge capacity.
  • In the very back of the cabin is a narrow-band scanner that’s switched on. Of course, if you want to save batteries, the AG6 button can toggle it. Orbital ore scanners not included.
  • The AG4 button toggles kerbnet from the probe core, which can show the terrain below as well as anomalies. The AG5 button toggles kerbnet from the narrow-band scanner (if it’s on, which it should be upon launch), which will show surface ore concentration.
  • Just like with my E-767 and my E-3 Sentry replicas, I installed radiators inside the cabin so that the occupants don’t die from overheating.
  • The wings were built in two parts that connect with the fuselage - and are both pitched up by five degrees - to match the look of straight wings with a swept leading edge.
  • Between the fuselage and the innermost engines are two empty structural pylons in case someone wants to install weapons later.
  • Fuel and oxidizer tanks along the wings help move the CoM toward the front.
  • Since I saw a picture of a real P-1 releasing flares, I figured I would install countermeasures on this aircraft.
  • Underneath the nose cone on top of the fuselage is a light for the front of the cabin. Otherwise, that particular section would look dark - and creepy.

Captain Stafford Kerman briefing the crew on board the P-1 before taking off.

  • Someone commented that they were grateful that the front lightbulb was replaced, otherwise the cockpit entrance would look like … the beginning of a horror movie.

A P-1 owned by the Kerbal Space Program ascending to cruising altitude after turning to its desired heading.

Real-life Counterpart Performance Stats

(XP-1)

Maximum Speed: 619 mph (276.7 m/s)

  • Cruise Speed: 518 mph (231.6 m/s)

Service Ceiling: 44,360 feet (13.5 km)
Range: 5,000 miles (8,000 km)

Source: Wikipedia

Details

  • Type: SPH
  • Class: aircraft
  • Part Count: 132
  • Pure Stock
  • KSP: 1.12.5

Description

The Kawasaki P-1 is a maritime patrol aircraft used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Not only is it a purpose-built aircraft designed specifically for its role and has no civilian counterpart, but it is also the first operational aircraft in the world to us a fly-by-optics control system. The P-1 first entered service in 2013 as a replacement for Japan’s propeller-driven P-3C Orion. Its fly-by-optics system replaces standard metal wiring with optical fiber cables, hence decreasing electromagnetic disturbances to the aircraft’s sensors. A magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) embedded into the tail, along with deployable sonobuoys and acoustic systems, is used for detecting submarines below the surface. For armaments, the P-1 has a bomb bay and external hardpoints mounted on the wings; available weapons include torpedoes, mines, depth charges, bombs, and anti-ship missiles.
As of December 2024, Japan is the sole operator of the Kawasaki P-1. However, due to the loosening of Japanese military export restrictions, Japan is looking for export customers.

A stock aircraft called Kawasaki P-1. Built with 132 of the finest parts, its root part is mk3Cockpit.Shuttle.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.12.5.

A partial solar eclipse can be seen to the left of the P-1 as it is ascending. Too bad it wasn’t a total.

A Kawasaki P-1 flying over Kerbin’s northern polar ice cap.

  • Some of the crewmembers were concerned that the MAD would not be as effective in the polar regions. Then again, they were mostly ice while the P-1 was designed to look for submarines under liquid water.
  • The manufacturers also debated an MAD’s effectiveness in polar regions, but mainly in case they ever built a maritime patrol aircraft specifically for Laythe operations.

Flying over the northern tundra, and heading straight to the ocean.

RECOMMENDED CRUISE

(UNARMED)

Altitude: 7.5 km (~24.6k ft; Class Alpha airspace)
Average Velocity: 220 m/s (~492 mph)
Flight Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes

EXPECTED RANGE

1,690 km before immediate landing necessary.

The P-1 releasing countermeasures as it flies west over the ocean.

  • If it kept flying straight for this test cruise, it would end up over water when it ran out of fuel.
  • The countermeasures were in case of an attack from enemy surface-to-air missiles or aircraft. Such incidents have not happened yet, but K'walski advised the manufacturers to be cautious.

An unnamed engineer inspecting the MAD from below after a perfect landing.

  • It’s a good thing the P-1 had high wheels to reduce the risk of engines hitting the ground and snapping off. It’s also a good thing the engines have reverse thrust to slow down the plane.
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