Subaru
UH-2
The Subaru UH-2 is a twin‑engine utility helicopter that entered service in 1978 after five years of development by Subaru’s Aeronautics Division, a branch created to diversify the company’s engineering expertise beyond automobiles. Drawing on Subaru’s reputation for horizontally opposed boxer engines, the UH‑2 was equipped with two liquid‑cooled 350 hp Subaru EJ25‑type powerplants, delivering smooth vibration‑free operation and improved fuel efficiency compared with contemporary turboshaft designs. Its airframe utilizes a semi‑monocoque aluminum alloy structure with composite rotor blades, giving a maximum take‑off weight of 4,500 kg and a range of 650 km. The helicopter’s cockpit features a fully digital glass panel, dual redundant flight‑control systems, and a modular mission kit that allows rapid conversion between troop transport, search‑and‑rescue, and maritime patrol roles. The UH‑2 gained prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s as the primary light lift platform for the Japan Self‑Defense Forces and several civilian agencies, praised for its low operating cost and ease of maintenance. Its success demonstrated Subaru’s ability to translate automotive engineering innovations into aviation, influencing later Japanese rotorcraft designs and establishing a precedent for cross‑industry technology transfer in the aerospace sector.
