F-35 with 2 externally mounted JSMs
Posted on 06/27/2017 7:41:38 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
The government is considering equipping cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighters with air-to-surface missiles, which are capable of striking remote targets on land, and plans to deploy these fighters to the Air Self-Defense Force, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
It will become the first introduction of such missiles for the Self-Defense Forces. The government hopes to allocate relevant expenses in the fiscal 2018 budget, according to sources close to the government. The main purpose of the introduction is to prepare for emergencies on remote Japanese islands, while some experts believe the government is also eyeing possession of the capability of attacking targets such as enemy bases for the purpose of defending the country.
According to the sources, F-35 fighter jets that will replace the ASDF’s F-4 fighter aircraft are employed by U.S. forces and others. The F-35 aircraft has an advanced stealth capability that makes the aircraft less visible on enemy radar. The ASDF plans to introduce a total of 42 units of the F-35 and gradually deploy them to the Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture starting at the end of this fiscal year. The government is considering introducing some additional capabilities for the aircraft.
The most likely option the government is currently focusing on is the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) that is being developed mainly by Norway, which also participated in an international project to develop the F-35. The ASDF currently has no air-to-surface missile capabilities, but the JSM has both air-to-ship and air-to-surface capabilities, with an estimated range of about 300 kilometers.
The Defense Ministry is building up national defense systems to defend remote islands, such as the Nansei Islands. In addition to deploying new Osprey transport aircraft to the Ground Self-Defense Force, the ministry plans to create an amphibious rapid deployment brigade, similar to other nations’ marines.
As an air-to-surface missile has a long range, it is possible to effectively strike a target from safe airspace. For this to be possible, the ministry decided it was necessary to consider introducing the JSM to prepare for situations such as preventing foreign military vessels from approaching remote islands or the SDF launching an operation to regain control of an occupied island.
Meanwhile, if the F-35 aircraft with an advanced stealth capability is equipped with long-range air-to-surface missiles, it will effectively be possible to use the F-35 to attack bases in foreign countries.
The government has said that the Constitution allows Japan to possess the capability of striking enemy bases, but the nation does not actually possess the capability as its political decisions have been based on an exclusively defense-oriented policy.
If Japan introduces air-to-surface missiles, it could prompt opposition from neighboring countries. Therefore, the government is believed to be seeking the understanding of those countries by explaining that it does not intend to use the capability to attack enemy bases, but to defend remote islands.
However, with North Korea continuing its nuclear and missile development programs and repeatedly conducting provocative actions, there are growing calls for the government to possess the capability to strike enemy bases to improve Japan’s deterrence.
Amid such a situation, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed on multiple occasions his intention to consider the issue. On June 20, the Liberal Democratic Party’s Research Commission on Security compiled an interim report on proposals for the next medium-term defense program for fiscal 2019-23, in which it called for the government to swiftly start discussions on possessing the capability to attack enemy bases. Speech
F-35 with 2 externally mounted JSMs
Wasn’t it supposed to be an attack plane?
WWIII heating up - the Japanese are adding offensive capability.
Okay, so they're considering adding some offensive capability - all as allowed under Japanese law. So why is it necessary to broadcast such plans?
This is the Japanese version so it's strictly for self defense and they don't need to attack. Nope, just self defense.
Striking bases would require nuke tipped missiles.
The F-35 II was supposed to be the next air superiority aircraft. But the cat’s already out of the bag for the new “toys” it contains.
Many classified documents leaked by former US intelligence agent Edward Snowden, reported 18 January 2015 that hackers affiliated with the Chinese government stole “many terabytes” of sensitive military information including plans of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) – the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
The stolen data contained details of the stealth fighter’s “radar systems which are used to identify and track targets; detailed engine schematics; methods for cooling exhaust gases; and “aft deck heating contour maps”.
In other word’s, probably everybody can draw the schematics of the entire aircraft and know how to nuetralize it or confuse a computer program that has been known to falter on targeting identification and need rebooting in mid-air.
As usual, before it hits the door, it’s outdated.
rwood
WW-III began with Operation Masterdom
in Vietnam
on September 13, 1945
"WW-III began with Operation Masterdom in Vietnam on September 13, 1945"
When I was a kid living in St Louis you would often see the F4s flying at low level as they were made at a plant near Lambert Field....we thought they were so cool.
BTW, if you have wondered why Japanese papers always seem to have “Shimbun” in the name... Shimbun means newspaper in Japanese i.e. This story is from the Yomiuri Shimbun.
> The F-35 II was supposed to be the next air superiority aircraft.
That’s how I remember it too. Interestingly though, the current Wikipedia entry for the F-35 says it’s for “ground attack and air defense missions”, while the original version of that article called it a “fighter plane” (AKA air superiority).
I think what the F35 is really supposed to be is a gravy train for all those traitorous generals who retired to become consultants, advisors, and executives at various defense supply firms.
Ya just never know when Godzilla might show up again.
Ya just never know when Godzilla might show up again.
We offered the F-35 to a few of our “allies” overeseas and they chose to go with the F-22 because of expense. The 35 is one very big expenditure as I understand it.
But so what, really. Our “non-allies” already have the plans for the SOB and are countering it as we speak. You can be assured that before the end of the year, they will have the buzz capacity to scramble the targeting program and most likely take out the on board computer anyway which turns it into a F-15 eagle that may be a little hard to see. Nothing is completely stealth.
And the libs were saying the other governments didn’t do cyber attacks and hacking so Hilary’s computer couldn’t have been hacked. This thing isn’t even off the drawing board.
rwood
“The F-35 II was supposed to be the next air superiority aircraft.”
Hahahaha.. No. 900% false
” “fighter plane” (AKA air superiority)’”
No, it was NEVER ever Air Superiority. “Fighter” is a generic term. The ‘Stealth Fighter’ never had any air to air capability what so ever. In the last 50 years ever combat jet has been called a ‘fighter’. It implies nothing about their operational role.
“We offered the F-35 to a few of our “allies” overeseas and they chose to go with the F-22 because of expense. The 35 is one very big expenditure as I understand it.”
Dude... log off an go get some coffee.
No one has bought the F-22 but the US. We offered other countries the F-35 because congress has not authorized any foreign sales of the F-22. And many other DID take the F-35.
Ah so. The best defense is a good offense say the Shogun.
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