Japan’s developmental XP-1 maritime patrol aircraft has developed rips and tears during ground testing.

Flight Global quoted the Japanese Defence Ministry as saying, “The tears and rips were found in several locations, such as inside the fuel tank of the main wing and on the fuselage near the foot of the main wing.”

The indigenous aircraft, being developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, is powered by four Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries F7-10 turbofan engines.

The 38m-long XP-1 has a basic operating weight of 79,700kg and can also be used as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

The Defence Ministry expressed uncertainty about if the problems would delay the aircraft’s entry into service.

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