Kawasaki Aerospace Company is the aerospace manufacturing division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). Its product offerings include aircraft, space systems, simulators, jet engines, missiles, and electronic equipment. The company has a rich history dating back to 1918, when it was established as a subsidiary of the heavy-industrial conglomerate, KHI. During the early years, Kawasaki supplied aircraft and aircraft engines to the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF) and developed its own designs with the help of notable German Aerospace engineer, Dr. Richard Vogt.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Kawasaki Aircraft Industries designed numerous aircraft for the IJAAF, such as the Type 88 reconnaissance aircraft, the Ki-48 Sokei bomber, and the Ka 61 Hien fighter, up until the end of the Second World War. Following Japan’s aviation industry dismantling and conversion of aircraft factories during the postwar occupation, the ban on aircraft development was lifted during March 1954, allowing for the nation’s aviation industry to be revived.
Throughout the postwar era, Kawasaki Aerospace Company has produced a variety of aircraft under license from various overseas manufacturers, alongside its own designs, for Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces. Licensed aircraft have included the P-2J (derived from the Lockheed P-2 Neptune), KH-4 helicopters (derived from the Bell 47), Kawasaki KV-107 helicopters (derived from the Boeing Vertol 107 Model II), and CH-47J / JA heavy-lift helicopters. Indigenously developed aircraft of the postwar era have included the Kawasaki C-1 and Kawasaki C-2 military transports, the Kawasaki KAT-1 and Kawasaki T-4 trainer aircraft, the Kawasaki OH-1 reconnaissance helicopter, and the Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft.