Japan's Ministry of Defense intends to begin flight tests unobtrusive ATD-X fighter before the end of the year

Japan’s Defense Minister, Itsunori Onodera, confirmed plans to launch the first demonstration of a new generation of technology fighter ATD-X (Advanced Technology Demonstrator-X) in 2014.

The ATD-X fighter is intended to replace the F-2 aircraft developed by Mitsubishi.

The Minister recently visited the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) company in Komaki Minami, where the ATD-X prototype is being assembled, the Minister recently reported.

As the Minister said, speaking April 10 in the Commission on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the upper house of parliament, flight tests of the machine are scheduled to begin this year. In 2015, the aircraft will be handed over for testing by the Self-Defense Air Force and the Technical Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense (TRDI). The project is expected to be completed by the end of March 2017.

The ATD-X Shinshin project is being developed by TRDI. MHI is the main contractor for the project. The prototype ATD-X, which is being built by MHI in accordance with the contract signed with the Defense Ministry of Japan, will be used for demonstration during flight tests of advanced technologies, including low visibility, high maneuverability, and enhanced situational awareness, which is supposed to be used to create promising Japanese fighters generations.

As TSAMTO previously reported, the implementation of the ATD-X Shinshin prototype project was launched by MHI in 2009 in response to the development programs of the next generation fighters in neighboring countries. The prototype is designed to test in-flight technologies of stealth, as well as other technical solutions to achieve high speed and maneuverability. It will also allow the country's air defense to work out methods of countering unobtrusive fighters that may be deployed in the region in the future.

The fuselage, wings and cabin of the aircraft are designed and supplied by MHI, Fuji Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Two XF5-1 engines will be supplied by Ishikawaji-Harima Heavy Industries (Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries).

Initially, MHI was planning to roll out the ATD-X for May of this year, but now the schedule has shifted by several months.

According to I.Odeder, assessing the level of available technologies and costs, the Ministry of Defense of Japan in the 2018 f.g. decide on the independent production of the national unobtrusive prospective fighter, or its joint development in the framework of an international program.

Japan's plans to develop an F-3 fighter based on the ADT-X may meet US opposition, which previously blocked Tokyo's attempts to develop a national fighter. In the 1980s FSX fighter program was blocked by Washington, which put pressure on Tokyo, citing Japanese growth aviation industry could be detrimental to the US aviation industry. This pressure ultimately led to the joint development of the F-2 aircraft based on the American F-16C.

According to Japanese officials, the development by China and Russia of fifth-generation fighters J-20 and T-50 makes the program to create a national low-profile fighter vital for providing a national air defense system.

As Lieutenant General Hideyuki Yoshayoka, head of the aviation systems development department at TRDI, said in November 2011, 28 radar systems in Japan can effectively detect long-range 3 and 4 fighters at long range, but their ability to detect fifth-generation aircraft is difficult to predict .

MO Japan in 2014 f.d. allocated 2,7 billion yen (26,5 million dollars) to conduct research in the field of radar and fire control systems, allowing to detect, accompany and destroy low-profile aircraft.

Comments

[krechet-1978]

The most inconspicuous military aircraft in the kingdom of Bhutan. - So far, not a single one has been noticed)

[Aleksandr12]

The Japanese will not be able to create their own aircraft. Americans will not give. They then where to sell their scrap metal.

[mirag2]

Yes, most likely, remember how hard the Japanese auto industry made its way to the US car market.
And they will be independent with the American planes, they will be pressed (for example) with the auto industry.
As Samsung was tried, judged for the "stolen" form of a smartphone, after a couple of years they were allowed to sell them, but Apple had already sold its own, and all the models are outdated and Samsung has no reason to push its own, new ones need to be pushed into the US market, and again obstacles .. ...
The United States defends its manufacturers, but what for the whole production from China is dragged to itself if Apple is unable to compete with Samsung due to the price (it was already more expensive, but with the condition of production in the states, it went up in price for Apple itself) margin fell).

[clidon]

I think that they will no longer have problems with the Americans, but with technologies. Not only do they get everything incredibly expensive, but also there are not so many opportunities as they wanted. I do not exclude that in general all this fuss with the "native" fifth generation will subside as soon as the Pentagon lowers the cost of the F-35 (including by permitting the inclusion of Japanese equipment on board) or authorizes (although unlikely) the export of the F-22.

[Phase]

Quote: Alexander12

The Japanese will not be able to create their own aircraft. Americans will not give. They then where to sell their scrap metal.

This is so, just remember the story of the civilian YS-11.

The Yukosuka was a local airline and probably the best aircraft in its class. It began to be purchased by American airlines engaged in regional transportation. The US found a way to strangle this program, although a number of aircraft are still flying. The YS-11 itself was not dangerous, the Americans are not monopolists in the regional aircraft market and willingly buy both Dornier and Fokker.
The danger was different: after the success of the YS-11, the Japanese could start making bigger planes ... and then even bigger ... and then ...
With Japanese hard work and discipline, the same thing would inevitably happen as in the auto industry. And goodbye Boeing ...

[Zverboy]

When they arrange a test drive of the Chinese and Japanese pepelats over the disputed islands, it will probably be interesting for the Americans to look ...

[Giant thought]

Armed with samurai. And actively. Let's hope that we no longer have to fight with them.

[propolsky]

Japan is an American market and let the Japanese not even strain, crush their beloved allies.

[nvn_co]

What a cool radio-controlled toy. That would be such a !!!

[Orc-xnumx]

And the Japanese prefer to develop their own, rather than buying from staffers!

[Nayhas]

Quote: Orc-78

Advanced Technology Demonstrator-X

Well, it’s not very good. Their R&D expenses are relatively scarce, although the production potential is very high. Cooperation with European aircraft manufacturers would help them, but either they don’t want, or Europeans don’t want ...

[B_KypTke]

Well done Japs, which is called the trend ... painted the prototype in the colors of the Crimea. Such camouflaged support for Russia's actions. Tired narrow-eyed from the repercussions of the Washington Frecken side.

[sv68]

let's see what happens in metal in the absence of their own program for creating modern fighters. The Japanese are hardworking and stubborn people, but they have more problems with the fifth knee than they think.