The C-1 is of conventional modern military transport design, featuring ahigh-wing monoplane configuration to maximize cabin volume, a fuselage with pressurized andair-conditioned flight deck and cargo hold, and a rear-loading ramp/door assembly which can be opened inflight. The landing gear is of retractable tricycle type positioned in outer blister fairings, andthe aircraft's two turbofan engines are pylon-mounted beneath the wings. The C-1 is operated by aflight crew of five, and typical loads include 60 fully-equipped troops or 45 paratroops, up to 36stretchers with attendants, and a variety of equipment or palletized cargo.
A collaborative project, the C-1 was built by Fuji (outer wings), Mitsubishi(center/aft fuselage and tail surfaces), and Nihon (control surfaces/engine pods), with Kawasakiresponsible for forward fuselage, center-wing section, final assembly and testing. Although builtto JASDF requirements, the C-1's maximum payload of 26,266 pounds (11,900kg) limited its value andplans for variants did not materialize.