Mitsubishi MU-2

History of the Mitsubishi MU-2

The Mitsubishi MU-2 is a high-wing twin-engine turboprop aircraft manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan. It first flew in September 1963 and was in production until 1986. One of Japan's most successful post-war aircraft, the 704 was built in Japan and in San Angelo, Texas, USA.

The Mitsubishi MU-2 offers pilots an excellent opportunity to operate a very reliable, robust, reliable, fast and safe aircraft at a very competitive cost. The plane was designed as a pure blade aircraft in the 1960s, when most other aircraft manufacturers simply bolted turboprops to the wings of piston aircraft. It's a tribute to Mitsubishi engineers, and this airframe is as relevant today as it was when it was developed nearly 50 years ago.

Many MU-2s have been upgraded with modern avionics and have all the bells and whistles found on new aircraft rolling off the assembly line, but in proven airframes and at a fraction of the price of new aircraft.

Specification

BASIC

Year of Service

1965

Origins

Japan

Status

Active.

Crew

2

Production

704

Manufacturer

Mitsubishi - Japan

Carrier

Japan

Roles

Transportation

General transport function for moving supplies/cargo or people (including casualties and VIPs) out of range.

Commercial Aviation

Used in roles serving the commercial aviation market, moving passengers and cargo over long distances.

VIP service

Used in the VIP (Very Important Person) passenger role, usually with above-average amenities and luxury as standard.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

33. 2 feet

(10.13m)

Width/span

39. 2 feet

(11.94m)

Height

12.9 feet

(3.94m)

Cured weight

11,773 lbs

(5,340 kg)

MTOW

19,687 lbs

(8,930 kg)

Wgt Difference

+?7,915

(+3,590 kg)

Performance

Installed:

2 x Garrett TPE331-25A turboprops, 575 hp each.

Maximum speed

311 km/h

(500 km/h | 270 knots)

Maximum

29,747 feet

(9,067 m | 6 km)

Area

1,199 km

(1,930 km | 3,574 nautical miles)

rate of climb

1,086 ft/min

(331 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Armor

None.

VARIANTS

MU-2 - Original production model designation; Turbomeca Astazou turboprop. MU-2A - Subsequent production model; three productions; Turbomeca Astazou turboprop. MU-2B - Civilian version; equipped with Garrett TPE331 series turboprops; 34 copies made. MU-2C - militarized model with a non-pressurized cabin.

MU-2D - Marketing designation for the MU-2B-10 model; similar to the MU-2B series; 18 copies made. MU-2E - A militarized model dedicated to search and rescue (SAR) capabilities. MU-2F - Upgraded Garrett TPE331 engine; 95 copies produced. MU-2G - Extended fuselage; 46 copies made. MU-2J - Lengthened fuselage; 108 copies made.

MU-2K - improved performance MU-2L - 29 examples produced MU-2M - short fuselage; 28 produced MU-2N - improved engine performance; 39 produced; four-bladed propeller; MU-2B- The marketing name for the 36A model. MU-2P - Four-Blade Turboprop MU-2S - Special Military Search and Rescue (SAR) variant; nasal radome; increased range. LR-1 - Military photo reconnaissance/liaison platform; based on the MU-2K model series; 16 copies made.

MU-2 "Solitaire" - Short fuselage; with Garrett TPE331-10-501M engines 715 hp each. MU-2 "Marquise" - with TPE331 engines of 751 hp each. MU-2B-10? Company Model Name MU-2B-36A ? Company Model Name