Post by Admin on Jul 10, 2020 15:04:37 GMT -5
link Defence Watch
"Japan’s sixth generation fighter is expected to replace the F-2 lightweight jet, one of the world’s first ‘4+ generation’ fighters and the first in the world to integrate in AESA radar. While they were built in Japan they notably rely heavily on American technologies and are based very closely on the American F-16 Fighting Falcon. Other than the F-2 the Japanese Air Force currently relies on the F-15J Eagle to form the bulk of its fleet, although the F-4 and the majority of the F-15 fleet are set to shortly be replaced by F-35A stealth fighters. The F-35A was designed primarily with an air to ground role in mind, raising questions regarding its suitability for Japan’s defence needs, but its low cost by the standards of Western stealth aircraft as a lightweight single engine design made it an attractive option despite its limitations in air to air combat. The upcoming sixth generation jet will replace both the F-2 and the remainder of the F-15 fleet, and F-15s will in the interim be upgraded to a ‘4+ generation’ standard with AESA radars, new avionics and electronic warfare systems and superior air to air munitions. "
"Japan’s sixth generation fighter is expected to replace the F-2 lightweight jet, one of the world’s first ‘4+ generation’ fighters and the first in the world to integrate in AESA radar. While they were built in Japan they notably rely heavily on American technologies and are based very closely on the American F-16 Fighting Falcon. Other than the F-2 the Japanese Air Force currently relies on the F-15J Eagle to form the bulk of its fleet, although the F-4 and the majority of the F-15 fleet are set to shortly be replaced by F-35A stealth fighters. The F-35A was designed primarily with an air to ground role in mind, raising questions regarding its suitability for Japan’s defence needs, but its low cost by the standards of Western stealth aircraft as a lightweight single engine design made it an attractive option despite its limitations in air to air combat. The upcoming sixth generation jet will replace both the F-2 and the remainder of the F-15 fleet, and F-15s will in the interim be upgraded to a ‘4+ generation’ standard with AESA radars, new avionics and electronic warfare systems and superior air to air munitions. "