Kawasaki Ki-91
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Aircraft, including the Ki-91 heavy bomber project |
The Kawasaki Ki-91 represented a Japanese heavy bomber project undertaken by Kawasaki Aircraft Industries during the final phase of World War II.
Development
Following the discontinuation of the Nakajima Ki-68 and Kawanishi Ki-85 programs, which were abandoned after the unsuccessful Nakajima G5N, Kawasaki initiated the Ki-91 design in early 1943. This aircraft was intended to fulfill the Imperial Japanese Army's requirement for a long-range bomber capable of matching the B-29 Superfortress. Similar to earlier concepts, the Ki-91 aimed to conduct bombing missions targeting locations within the continental United States from bases in Japan. By April 1944, a full-scale wooden model had been completed, and construction of the initial prototype commenced in June of the same year. However, with B-29 bombing raids beginning over Japan that month, progress was disrupted. In February 1945, an air raid by B-29s struck the manufacturing site in Gifu Prefecture, damaging the facility where the prototype was approximately 60 percent finished, effectively stopping further development.
Design
Engineered as a heavy bomber, the Ki-91 boasted a wingspan and fuselage dimensions exceeding those of both the B-29 Superfortress and Consolidated B-32, while maintaining comparable bomb-carrying capabilities. The design included plans for a pressurized cabin to enable operations at high altitudes; although this feature was absent in the prototype, it was intended to be incorporated into production variants.