Posted on 02/03/2016 3:18:26 AM PST by WhiskeyX
TOKYO -- A demonstration unit of the X-2 stealth fighter made its debut Thursday, with the Japanese-built experimental aircraft promising greater maneuverability than other stealth planes.
The jet will take its maiden flight the week of Feb. 15 or Feb. 22. Designer and builder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will hand it over to the Ministry of Defense's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency at the end of March. The X-2 is under development as the government
(Excerpt) Read more at asia.nikkei.com ...
Stubby lil’ thing, with huge tail fins. I guess that is what helps with it’s supposed high maneuverability.
Our allies readily see the shortcomings of the 1+ Trillion dollar F-35, which we stuck with.
From the article:
Although Mitsubishi Heavy put together the final design and constructed the prototype, some 220 companies including Fuji Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries participated in the project, with development costs reaching about 40 billion yen ($334 million).
The U.S. military’s F-35 stealth fighter “is not that maneuverable, but the X-2 is stealthy while boasting high maneuverability,” said Takahiro Yoshida, project director at the Japanese defense ministry’s acquisitions agency”
Hard to see if the red meatball is painted on the wings...
“Hard to see if the red meatball is painted on the wings...”
Yes, but very small. see:
Japan’s new stealth fighter is a futuristic marvel
http://theweek.com/articles/602679/japans-new-stealth-fighter-futuristic-marvel
Hmm... 2 engines are generally thirsty? Such a small airframe? Probably can’t carry enough fuel or weapons or much of a radar? The thrust vectoring nozzles don’t look very stealth, nor do they look like they will diffuse the heat signature.
Give me a block 60/61 F-16c any day over this plane.
yep there it is...
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