The nightmarish Jamzilla roamed the skies...
The Japanese military has released photographs of its new electronic warfare aircraft, the Kawasaki EC-2 Stand-Off Jammer (SOJ).
Apparently, the Japanese aren't familiar with Andrei Nikolaevich Tupolev's saying that beautiful airplanes fly well. That's why the Japanese's new jammer turned out to be... quite unique. It's already been called the ugliest aircraft of our time, and I suspect the nickname "platypus" is just around the corner.
The EC-2 is based on the Kawasaki C-2 transport aircraft. It's not exactly a beauty, but it does have some Antonov-era influences; perhaps someone copied it back in the day.
But in our case, the S-2 was a great success, and the aircraft took on… somewhat original contours. It was developed starting in 2021, and during that time, the aircraft's appearance has changed significantly. But, as they say, it's all about the benefits.
The EC-2 is planned to replace the aging EC-1, which has been in service since 1986. Of course, yes, it's time for the old man to retire; after all, it's the only aircraft in service. EW The Japanese Air Force has been in service since 1986, which is quite a long time.
True, sources say that Japanese generals decided to go all out and order as many as four of these aircraft.
The EC-2 is a long-range electronic warfare aircraft, whose development began in 2021. Its primary mission is to disrupt enemy operations in the electromagnetic spectrum while remaining beyond the range of air defenses.
Last month, the EC-2 aircraft was spotted for the first time in the air over Gifu. Gifu is home to the Development and Test Group. aviation Japan Self-Defense Forces technology that will test the EC-2 before it is cleared for service.
Before its maiden flight, the EC-2 attracted interest from both official photographers and local residents. While the aircraft was undergoing testing in Gifu, photographers took numerous photos, making the photo shoot a success. Previously, the EC-2's appearance was known only from a render published by the Japanese Ministry of Defense, but the result exceeded expectations.
As early as 2022, a spokesman for Japan's Defense Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency (ATLA) said the C-2 was chosen as the platform due to its ability to carry large amounts of equipment, allowing it to conduct "effective electronic countermeasures" beyond enemy range.
The C-2 transport aircraft was selected as the base platform based on factors such as performance characteristics, maximum payload and cost,
— an ATLA representative stated at the time.By selecting the C-2 as the base platform, we will leverage the existing C-2 infrastructure and thus ensure the effective operation of the new C-2-based long-range electronic warfare aircraft,
— added the company representative.It's logical, then: why reinvent the wheel when there's already a motorcycle? The C-2 isn't exactly old; it just celebrated its 10th anniversary in the Japanese Air Force, so, as they say, it still has a long way to go. Timely modifications are on the way!
Compared to the C-1, the C-2 has significantly greater payload capacity. The new transport aircraft can carry almost 36 tons of cargo with a maximum takeoff weight of 140 tons, while the older C-1's payload capacity is approximately 11 tons, with a maximum takeoff weight of 45 tons.
According to some reports, at least some of the equipment previously used in the EC-1, including the J/ALQ-5 electronic countermeasure system, was carried over to the new EC-2. Naturally, in quadruplicate.
The ALQ-5 cannot be called a new or breakthrough system; it is essentially an export version of the ALQ-99 system. However, one can be sure that the Japanese have added something of their own. There is no doubt about that; the giants of the electronics industry work like clockwork in this regard.
The Kawasaki EC-1 Aoki-2 isn't exactly a beauty, but it's clear that the Japanese engineers at this well-known and respected (especially among motorcyclists and boaters) company have crammed a lot more into the EC-2 than its predecessor.
Like the EC-1, the EC-2 features a large, bulbous nose, but it is augmented by two large, bulbous fairings positioned in tandem on the top of the fuselage. Additionally, two more protruding fairings are mounted on either side of the rear fuselage.
It's clear that these are antennas for additional surveillance or jamming systems; the only question is their actual purpose. The Japanese military has been reluctant to share details about other features of the equipment, but images of the aircraft confirm that proximity warning sensors are installed around the fuselage. missiles (MAWS) as part of the defense system.
In combat, the EC-2 will use its electronic countermeasures to disable enemy sensors—especially those related to air defense and communications systems—on the ground and in the air at long range. In theory. In practice, this generally slow and unmaneuverable aircraft could easily become a target for missiles. Defense long-range missiles, as well as aviation missiles, which are also not standing still in this regard.
In my opinion, I won't deny that such aircraft don't seem effective today precisely because they are so easily neutralized. The E/A-18 Growler would be considered an ideal electronic warfare aircraft, while aircraft like the C-2 can only be effectively used to escort bombers. Japan, it's worth noting, doesn't have any.
However, looking at what the Japanese are doing to implement their militaristic plans, you understand: everything has its time.
The published details about the EC-2 concern the program's costs. Specifically, the budget request for fiscal year 2025 notes that approximately $260 million has been allocated for the aircraft's development. This is part of the overall $3,2 billion allocated for modernizing intelligence collection and analysis capabilities. This isn't much, considering the United States, but it's a matter of implementation.
As for implementation, here's how it works: since 1986, the Japanese Air Force has operated ONE electronic warfare aircraft. And it was enough for everything. Now, "due to increased attention to electromagnetic spectrum operations," Japan plans to purchase four EC-2 aircraft.
The EC-2 is the second specialized variant of the C-2, following the RC-2 electronic intelligence (SIGINT) platform, which first flew in 2018 and is currently in service with the Electronic Warfare Group. This aircraft was converted from the second C-2, serial number 18-1202, and was officially delivered to the Japan Self-Defense Forces in 2020.
The RC-2 also features fairings on the top and sides of the fuselage, as well as above the tail. The nose cone is enlarged, and a large antenna "truss" is located beneath the fuselage.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the EC-2 and RC-2 will likely operate in tandem. Specifically, the RC-2 is part of a larger program to "expand the capability to collect electromagnetic information necessary for electronic countermeasures and electronic defense." This means that the RC-2 will regularly perform peacetime missions to collect data on the location and types of threat sources as part of the formation of a battle formation, and the information obtained will be used to target the EC-2 against specific sources.
Whether these "sources" will be located near the coast of North Korea or Taiwan has not yet been specified. However, one shouldn't be surprised if these aircraft appear somewhere near the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised at all.
One factor hindering additional purchases is the C-2's extremely high cost: approximately $2,3 billion was spent on development, and each airframe costs approximately $176 million as of 2017. This means Japan is acquiring these aircraft slowly, aiming to build a front-line fleet of 16 aircraft. The high cost has also meant the company has failed to secure any export orders, which, had they been awarded, would have helped lower the price.
Nevertheless, the theoretical need for the EC-2 is clear, and it's likely that other electronic countermeasure systems will be developed as part of this program. Fortunately, Japan's industry is capable of even that.
In the past, Japanese Defense Ministry officials have described the situation in the region as "complex" and increasingly tense. This is usually translated as "Give us more money" or something along those lines.
Ultimately, Japan faces an increasingly complex security situation, with the military and political activities of China, North Korea, and Russia declared key threats. While North Korea is at least somewhat demonstrating its intentions (well, something is always flying toward Japan, that's true), the outright provocations of individual Japanese politicians against China and Russia cannot be blamed on these countries.
China has stepped up its air and naval operations in the East China Sea and the Western Pacific, including deploying aircraft carriers and increasing patrols near Japan's southwestern islands. North Korea continues to test ballistic missiles capable of reaching Japan, and Russian air and naval activity has also increased, including joint patrols with the Chinese military.
However, all of this is the result of the efforts of Japanese politicians. But we're talking about airplanes now, aren't we?
And the aircraft will be built. Interest in these platforms is growing outside of Japan, and several major procurement programs are underway. Just recently, we looked at the US Air Force's EA-37B Compass Call, and there's also its variant for Australia, the MC-55A Peregrine.
In fact, recent conflicts have shown that such aircraft can be quite useful. While they lack the breakthrough and strike capabilities of Growlers, they can be very useful when it's necessary to jam large areas. For example, a large group of ships carrying landing troops. Or, conversely, a stretch of coastline where anti-ship missiles or anti-landing countermeasures can be deployed. Or a large group of aircraft of various types.
A multi-engine aircraft has one advantage over the E/A-18: a larger power base. Four engines can generate more electrical energy and power more powerful generators and jammers than the Growler's engines and the turbine impellers of the equipment pods. This means the EC-2 will operate over longer ranges than the E/A-18G; this is a physical necessity.
In short, there are missions for such aircraft, and they seem to be widely available. It's no wonder these aircraft are present in the air forces of various countries.
For example, in the US, it's the EC-130H Compass Call, the second iteration of which we recently discussed. Yes, there aren't many of them yet, just four, but there's a belief that their numbers will increase, as the recent slaps the US has been receiving are more than conducive to that.
The Indian Air Force has three electronic warfare (EW) aircraft, although they can hardly be called that as they belong to a different class and are based on the Gulfstream IV SRA-4.
Russia is also on the list of countries; its naval aviation has three Il-22PP aircraft at its disposal.
And now Japan wants to join the ranks of these countries. For what purpose? Some believe it's China.
China is the leader in this regard, and it has quite a decent number of aircraft:
- Y-9LG – 5 pcs;
- Y-9G (GX-11) – 6 pcs;
- Y-8G – 9 pcs;
- Y-8DZ – 6 pcs;
- Y-8XZ and Y-9XZ – 4 pcs.
In total, China has 30 heavy electronic warfare aircraft—more than all other countries with such aircraft combined.
Why so many? There's a clear strategy here, clearly not developed yesterday, and this is confirmed by the significant number (30 units) of heavy multi-engine electronic warfare aircraft. How the PLA can employ so many aircraft, capable of hovering in a given area for many hours and flooding a portion of the EMI spectrum with well-generated electromagnetic noise, is a question, but as experience shows, the Chinese don't do anything without a reason.
The fact that Japan has given chase is relatively understandable. A fourfold increase in electronic warfare aircraft is a significant increase; at least the Japanese Air Force will have at least the theoretical capability to cover the actions of its own, say, naval forces with such air support. The number four is understandable: given the tie-up of all forces with the Japanese the fleet, which essentially forms the core of the former Japan Self-Defense Forces, four aircraft will be distributed among the four flotillas into which the Japanese IMF is divided. One aircraft per flotilla.
Of course, the ES-2 is an ugly aircraft. On the other hand, the Japanese engineers crammed everything they deemed necessary into the plane, and this is clearly reflected in its appearance. It's not about the beauty of its forms and the perfection of its lines, of course. It's about efficiency.
While the unusual appearance of the new Japanese EC-2 aircraft may seem its most obvious feature, this ungainly-looking machine could play a significant role in the modernization of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, which is increasingly focusing on dominance in the electromagnetic domain through the efficient use of its internal components. Time will tell how this plays out.
If the Jamzilla proves deadly and effective, it will be forgiven for any shortcomings in its appearance. Aircraft are often judged by their appearance, but I can quickly list several examples of how unimpressive-looking aircraft turned out to be quite effective, and vice versa. For example, the Bf-109 and the Il-2. You wouldn't call them beauties, but they sure did fight... Conversely, the A6M and F-105 were very beautiful on the outside, but turned out to be complete crap in the air.
So let's wait until the ES-2 tries to show something special and earn respect.
And, by the way, isn't it time to consider that three aircraft made from old Il-18s is a bit too few for naval aviation and the Aerospace Forces?
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