| F-X | |
|---|---|
| |
| Concept design of F-X fighter | |
| Role | Stealth air superiority fighter |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
| First flight | 2028 (planned)[1] |
| Introduction | 2035 (planned)[1] |
| Status | Merged into Global Combat Air Programme[2] |
| Primary user | Japan Air Self-Defense Force (planned) |
| Produced | 2024 (first prototype production planned)[1]
2031 (full-scale production planned)[1] |
| Developed from | i3 fighter Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin |
The Mitsubishi F-X (unofficially called F-3) is a sixth-generation stealth fighter in development for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). It is Japan's first domestically developed stealth fighter jet and will replace the Mitsubishi F-2 by the mid-2030s.[1] Its development is to also bolster the nation's defense industry and potentially enter the international arms market amid Japan's change in defense posture.[3] In October 2020, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was selected as the lead developer.[4]
On 9 December 2022 the governments of Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy jointly announced that they would develop and deploy a common fighter jet under a project called the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP); merging development of the latter two nations' BAE Systems Tempest with the F-X.[5] In Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will be the prime contractor, with IHI Corporation handling the engines and Mitsubishi Electric handling the electronics. In the UK, BAE Systems will handle the aircraft, Rolls-Royce the engines and Leonardo UK the electronics. Leonardo, Elt Elettronica Group and Avio Aero will participate in the development from Italy, and MBDA will also participate in the missile development.
By around 2024, detailed development and cost sharing for each company will be clarified, and production will begin around 2030, with the first aircraft to be deployed in 2035. In addition, joint development with the United States will begin in fiscal 2023 for an unmanned aircraft accompanying the F-3.[6]
- ^ a b c d e Yeo, Mike (9 July 2020). "Japan unveils timeline for indigenous fighter jet program". Defense News. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ^ Kelly, Tim. Sandle, Paul. and Kubo, Nobuhiro. (9 December 2022). "Japan, Britain and Italy to build jet fighter together". Reuters. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Next-Generation Fighter Mitsubishi F-3 Stealth Future Fighter". Global Security. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Japan picks Mitsubishi Heavy to lead development of new stealth jet fighter Nasdaq
- ^ "Why Japan Chose Britain and Italy for Its F-X Fighter Program". The Diplomat. 9 December 2022.
- ^ 日英伊、次期戦闘機の共同開発で合意 2035年に配備開始. Reuters (in Japanese). 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.