Японский самолет-амфибия Shin Meiwa PS-1 и US-1A

Maritime patrol flying boat

The Shin Meiwa PS 1 and US 1A is a large STOL aircraft designed for anti submarine warfare (ASW) and air sea rescue (SAR) work respectively by Japanese aircraft manufacturer Shin Meiwa. The PS 1 anti submarine warfare (ASW) variant is a flying boat which carried its own beaching gear on board, while the search and rescue (SAR) orientated US 1A is a true amphibian. Development of the PS 1 has its origins in flying boat research performed by the Shin Meiwa during the 1950s. The company, believing that their design was capable of regular use upon the open sea, petitioned the Japanese military to acquire the type as a maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). Following the demonstration of a converted Grumman HU 16 Albatross testbed aircraft, referred to as the UF XS, the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) awarded Shin Meiwa a contract in 1966 to further develop its design via two further prototypes, which were designated PS X. During 1969, the JMSDF placed the first order for an eventual fleet of 21 ASW aircraft, designated PS 1; orders for the SAR variant, designated US 1A, were also issued during the 1970s. Shin Meiwa were keen to develop additional variants and derivative aircraft, including substantially larger designs which they had studied, but many of these ambitions remained as paper projects only. During the 1980s, the JMSDF decided to adopt land based Lockheed P 3 Orions, displacing the PS 1s from the ASW role and leading to the variant's retirement during 1989. Following the withdrawal of the last active US 1A in 2017, the type has been replaced by the ShinMaywa US 2, a modernised variant.

Following the end of the Second World War and the start of the Occupation of Japan, a ban on aircraft manufacturing imposed during December 1945 required Japan's aircraft industry to find other work. During the late 1940s, Japanese aircraft manufacturer Kawanishi Aircraft Company reorganised itself, becoming ShinMeiwa Industries. During the 1950s, the emergence of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union led to the aircraft construction ban being rescinded; Shin Meiwa, which had turned to heavy machinery and engine manufacturing for the intervening years, decided to resurrect their old aircraft works. Initially, the company focused on smaller efforts, such as subcontracting work, the production of drop tanks, and performing airframe overhauls of both Japanese and American aircraft, such as the US Navy's Martin P5M Marlin flying boats. However, senior figures, such as chief aircraft designer Shizo Kikuhara and founder Ryuzo Kawanishi were keen to pursue projects of a greater scope. The UF XS also featured a new T tail arrangement, hull based deflectors, and a rounded stubby nose radome which resembled that of the P5M Marlin. From 1962 onwards, the UF XS performed numerous test flights, demonstrating the improved features which enabled a flying boat to both land and take off from the open ocean; these tests were closely followed and critiqued by the Japanese military.