Japan unveils stealth plane, may combine with next-gen jet
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The first domestically-made stealth aircraft, X-2, was shown to the media at Nagoya Airport in Toyoyama town, central Japan, on Thursday. The demonstration plane is expected to make its maiden flight sometime after mid-February.
TOYOYAMA, Japan » Japan unveiled its first homemade stealth plane Thursday as it tries to catch up on the technology and enhance its reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities as China expands its own military presence in the region.
The experimental X-2 is expected to make its maiden test flight in February. Defense officials said the aircraft is designed to test the stealth technology that would possibly be combined with the next-generation fighter jet, replacing the fleet of F-2 fighters as early as 2028.
The red-and-white aircraft, with a 45-foot-long fuselage and 30-foot-long wingspan, sat inside a hanger at the Nagoya Airport in central Japan.
Led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, the stealth plane comes with radar-resistance features, including a canopy with special stealth-enhancing coating, and mobility.
“I cannot go into details, but we recognize it is technologically at a very high level,” said Takahiro Yoshida, an official in charge of the project at the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency of the Defense Ministry.
The $340 million project began in 2009.
10 responses to “Japan unveils stealth plane, may combine with next-gen jet”
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All right, free sushi for everyone. Drop it anywhere.
Where is the big, bright, red circle?
don’t you see it? the plane is too stealthy for you.
Right smack in the middle, just below the canopy is solid red round mark?
Useful if Japan finds it necessary to cross the 38th parallel and neutralize DPRK targets of strategic value.
China better worry, these new jets can make one way trips to major Chinese cities very easily. Comrade Kim better behave himself before he turns North Korea in to a radioactive parking lot.
Where’s all the missiles and other armament?
Wondering if they have the smarts like the Russians or the US to design war armaments. We and Russians have a monopoly and others only mimic.
Nice piece of sushi bait for the Chinese to chase, viable distraction for the brass to do their primary agenda in Stealth mode of course. Public sentiment works in sports, politics, medical, all….
Heard it has a awesome 200 mpg!