Kurogane/Dongfang KDJ-150

The Kurogane/Dongfang KDJ-150 International, is a long-range, developed and produced in Akiteiwa and Kodeshia by Kurogane Aircraft Company and Dongfang Aircraft Company (now Dongfang Aerospace Industries). It is marketed under the name Kurogane-Dongfang Jet (KDJ, : くろがね-東 ジェット; : 黑铁-東方噴氣) It is a four-engined  long-range, airliner designed to operate on long-distance routes and commanded excellent hot and high performance for operations from Eastern Kesh airports. The aircraft was unveiled in 1966 and entered service in 1967. It has since been operated by more than two dozen airlines worldwide. It is currently operated by Akiteiwa and Kodeshia national carriers, Akiteiwa Airways and Kodeshia Airlines. It has been continuously updated with the latest generation offering a new engines, improved wing and an upgraded glass cockpit, and remain in service with numerous operators worldwide. Additionally it has been developed into a number of specialised military models.

Origins
The design was based their new airliner on its Type-05 Hakuryu/H.47 Bailong strategic bomber. The wings, engines, and tail surfaces of the H.47 were retained with the airliner, but the new design adopted a wider, pressurised fuselage designed to accommodate up to 168 passengers. The concept was first proposed in March 1967 and then again in March 1967. The idea for the new aircraft was officially named Kurogane-Dongfang Jet (KDJ, Akitei: くろがね-東 ジェット; Guoyu: 黑铁-東方噴氣). The project was enabled by the Kurogane/SHAECO WS.46-11H turbofan engines, the civilian version yielded much more power than the previous generation of jet engine and was more fuel efficient. This freed the designers from constraints imposed by limitations of earlier turbo jet engines, developing a robust, safe, and high capacity jet aircraft was within reach for them.

The first prototype of the aircraft was rolled out in 1969, and first flew on August 31, 1966, It was introduced to the public at the Malipo Airshow in 1966. The first commercial order was placed in October 13, 1967. The first aircraft was a production aircraft, The first aircraft was a production aircraft. It was rolled out and introduced to the public at the Malipo Airshow in 1966. The initial standard model was the KDJ-150 International with Kurogane/SHAECO WS.46-11H engines. That allowed seating for up to 168 passengers in a high-density layout. So popular was the aircraft that the first customers were not able to purchase enough of them to meet demand.

The second model, the KDJ-150ER International, had an additional five percent more thrust and a higher cruising speed than the International. The third model, the KDJ-150F International, featured a specialised cargo variant that help establish the growing air freight industry within Eastern Kesh region.

The later 200 series, stretched the fuselage and added seating capacity for up to 250 passengers in a high-density layout additionally baggage compartment was enlarged and the cockpit was improved.

Design
The KDJ-150 is a futuristic-looking, streamlined aircraft, with four turbofan engines buried in the thick wing roots. It featured an all-metal construction with a low-mounted wing with a sweepback and a highly swept T-tail with considerable dihedral on the tail planes. The aircraft is also notable for its blown flaps which improve their low-speed flight characteristics allowing its short field landing performance and take off capabilities. The aircraft is also equipped with a dual-mode autopilot, capable of flying the aircraft manually or automatically. The aircraft is capable of carrying up to 96 passengers in a high-density layout, and up to 250 passengers in later versions.

Engines
The KDJ-150 is powered by four Kurogane/SHAECO WS.46-11H turbofans. Which are axial-flow turbofans with a low bypass of about 30% or bypass ratio of 0.3:1. It uses engine-driven turbocompressors to supply compressed air for cabin pressurization.

Operational history
The first commercial orders for the KDJ-150 International came on October 13, 1967, The first aircraft was a production aircraft flew on 22 January, 1967. It began service on Akitei and Kodeshi's airline routes, replacing the older turboprop and piston engine types. The flight time was reduced, and the new jet dramatically increased the level of passenger comfort.

Civilian Models

 * Kurogane/Dongfang KDJ-150 International
 * Initial production civil airliner model.


 * Kurogane/Dongfang KDJ-150ER International
 * Improved longer-range variant.


 * Kurogane/Dongfang KDJ-150F
 * A commercial freighter variant of the KDJ-150.


 * Kurogane/Dongfang KDJ-150-200 International
 * A stretched version of the aircraft increasing passenger capacity to 250.


 * Kurogane/Dongfang KDJ-150-200ER International
 * A extended-range version of the KDJ-150-200.

Military Models

 * Kurogane/Dongfang KY.150M
 * KJ = 空中預警機; Kōngzhōng yùjǐngjī ("Airborne Early Warning Aircraft"), M = 模型; Móxíng ("Model")
 * Kodeshi Airborne Early Warning variant.


 * Kurogane/Dongfang Y.150D-1
 * Y = 运输; Yùnshū ("Transport"), ::D = 多用途; Duō yòngtú ("Multirole")
 * Kodeshi military tactical transport variant with capacity for 202 troops or 120 paratroopers or 24494 kg of payload.


 * Kurogane/Dongfang KJ.150M
 * KJ = 空中加油; Kōngzhōng Jiāyóu ("Aerial Refueling"), M = 模型; Móxíng ("Model")
 * Kodeshi in-flight refuelling tanker variant.


 * Kurogane/Dongfang DZ.150D
 * DZ = 電子偵察; Diànzǐ zhēnchá ("Electronic Reconnaissance"), ::D = 多用途; Duō yòngtú ("Multirole")
 * Kodeshi variant. The aircraft are configured to carry multi-intelligence payload, to include electronic intelligence (ELINT) sensors, side-looking  (SAR) and other  (SIGINT). In addition, the aircraft is fitted with multi-spectral electro-optical systems, with further dish aerials in the front of the wing-mounted fuel tanks. It has a flight crew of four (two pilots, a flight engineer and one navigator) and up to 25 crew operating the SIGINT equipment.

Civil operators
 Akiteiwa  Kodeshia
 * Akitei Airways
 * Kodeshia Airlines
 * Trans-Tethy Airways
 * Air Chenghai
 * Kodeshia AirKesh
 * Kodeshia Southern Airlines
 * KodeshiXpress Air
 * Sky Mountain Express
 * Kodeshia Cargo Airlines
 * Kodeshi Imperial Post Airlines
 * Sky Mountain Cargo
 * TransFreight Express Airlines
 * Trans-Tethy AirFreight

Former civil operators
 Kodeshia
 * Kodeshi Airways International
 * Air Kodeshia
 * Jiangguo Airways

Military operators
 Akiteiwa  Kodeshia
 * Akiteiwa Imperial and Royal Air Force
 * Imperial Kodeshi Air Force

Accidents and incidents
The KDJ-150 International was involved in 46 hull-loss accidents, including 7 fatal crashes which resulted in 630 fatalities; it was also involved in a number of incidents including 5 hijack incidents and 1 aircraft destroyed by a bomb in mid-air in 1973. Only 7 of the hull-loss accidents included fatalities which totalled 630 deaths in addition to the 175 deaths on the aircraft destroyed in mid-air by a bomb. The fatal accidents were:
 * On 12 August 1968, Air Kodeshia Flight 843, a KDJ-150 International (reg. K367AKO), crashed near Chenghai International Airport in Chenghai due to a suspected mechanical failure, Killing 43 of the 107 passengers and crew.
 * On 5 January 1968, Kodeshi Airways International Flight 603, a KDJ-150 International (reg. K945KAI), damaged beyond economic repair in a landing accident at Songhari Jiuquan International Airport, Killing 28 of the 171 passengers and crew.
 * On 25 July 1968, Trans-Tethy Airways Flight 102, a KDJ-150F (reg. K943TTA), crashed in the Kesh Sea due to a hijacking incident and destroyed mid-air by a bomb. All three crew died and five hijackers.
 * On 5 January 1970, Trans-Tethy AirFreight Flight 781, a KDJ-150F (reg. K583TTF), crashed into the side of a mountain near the Great Kesh Diving range due to a number of factors such as loss of situational awareness, malfunctioning flaps and extreme weather conditions. All three crew died.
 * On 28 May 1973, Trans-Tethy Airways Flight 930, a KDJ-150 International (reg. K264TTA), overran the runway after landing at the wrong airport and crash into the harbour, Killing 33 of the 178 passengers and crew.
 * On 23 October 1974, Kodeshi Airways International Air Flight 414, a KDJ-150 International (reg. K802KAI), crashed after a major failure of No.3 engine; debris from that engine damaged No.4 engine causing a fire, Killing 172 of the 177 passengers and crew.
 * On 23 June 1978, Kodeshia AirKesh Flight 312, a KDJ-150 International (reg. K802KAK), crashed in the Tethys Ocean after a tail section failed in flight. All 160 passengers and ten crew died.
 * On 5 January 2001, Pan-Kodeshi Airlines Flight 944, a KDJ-150 International (reg. K263PKA), crashed after a mid-air collision with a small commuter aircraft. All 165 passengers and eight crew died.
 * On 15 June 2012, KodeshiXpress Air Flight 316, a KDJ-150-200 International (reg. K251KXA) bound for Saekung from Songhari, suffers an uncontained engine failure shortly after take-off. The engine debris punctures the fuel tank and ignites a fire that spreads rapidly along the wing. The aircraft crashes into the Tethys Ocean, killing all 212 people on board.
 * On 3 March 2014, Akiteiwa Airways Flight 107, a KDJ-150-200ER International (reg. A285AKA) flying from Kikyo to Saekung, disappears from radar over the Tethys Ocean. No distress signal or communication is received from the aircraft before it vanishes. A massive search and rescue operation is launched by Akiteiwa, Kodeshia and countries, but no trace of the aircraft or its 189 passengers and crew is found.