The 6-bladed R414 propeller system for the modernised ShinMaywa US-1A Kai builds on proven integrated electronic controls on the Rolls-Royce AE2100 engine. This is the world's first composite-bladed amphibious aircraft propeller, and offers the following advantages:

• Super-strong, all-composite blades

• resistant to crater impact loads

• much reduced weight and higher power than original propeller

• superior erosion resistance

• High-strength, one-piece steel hub

• to complement the water-impact resistance of the blades

• plated, flexibly sealed and polyurethane painted for corrosion protection

• Proven, Fail-safe, Integrated Electronic Control System

• mature, control-by-wire system on R-R AE2100 series engine adapted for this application

• mature propeller hydromechanical components with added sealing & paint system for maritime environment

• Improved Maintainability

• blades replaceable in opposite pairs on-wing

• modular system with no mechanical linkages

• reduced parts count

• improved reliability