|
Entered service |
2001 |
|
Crew |
1 men |
|
Dimensions and weight |
|
Length |
15.52 m |
|
Wing span |
11.13
m |
|
Height |
4.69
m |
|
Weight (empty) |
9.53 t |
|
Weight (maximum take off) |
22.1 t |
|
Engines and performance |
|
Engines |
1 x General Electric F110-GE-129 turbofan |
|
Traction (dry / with afterburning) |
75.62 / 131.22 kN |
|
Maximum speed |
2 125 km/h |
|
Combat radius |
> 843 km |
|
Armament |
|
Cannon |
1 x 20-mm JM61A1 cannon |
|
Missiles |
ASM-1/2 anti-ship missiles, AIM-7F / AIM-7M+
Sparrow, AIM-9L or AA-3+ air-to-air missiles |
|
Bombs |
Mk 82 and JM117 free-fall bombs with infra-red
seeker heads, CBU-87/B cluster bombs |
|
Other |
JLAU-3/A and RL-4 rocket launchers |
|
In October 1987, Japan
selected the F-16C Fighting Falcon as the basis for a much developed
version to replace the Mitsubishi F-1, primarily in the fighter
support role. Although a costly ad controversial programme - one F-2
costs at least the same as four Block 52/52 F-16Cs - the F-2
illustrates Japan's commitment to maintaining its high-technology
aerospace industry.
The F-2 features a new wing of 25 per cent
greater-area and co-cured, all-composite construction, with radar
absorbent material on the leading edges. In order to house
additional mission avionics that include an integrated electronic
warfare system,
the F-2's fuselage has a lengthened forward section when compared to
the F-16C. Other features include a longer nose to accommodate an
active phased-array radar, a larger tailplane, a brake chute and a
strengthened canopy.
Mitsubishi is the prime contractor responsible
for airframe assembly as well as manufacture of the forward fuselage
section, while the other major assemblies are produced by Lockheed
Martin, Kawasaki and Fuji. With either wing tip-mounted AIM-9 or
Mitsubishi AAM-3 air-to-air missiles, the F-2 still has 11 hardpoints available for
other stores, including the ASM-2 anti-ship missile as one of the
principal weapons. The F-2 programme has suffered long delays, cost
escalation and a number of structural problems including wing
cracking and severe flutter. Four prototypes have been built
comprising two single-seat XF-2As and a pair of two-seat XF-2B.
The
first XF-2A recorded the type's maiden flight on 7 October 1995. In
late 1995 the Japanese government approved a programme for the
manufacture of 130 aircraft with an entry into service scheduler for
1999. Delays resulting from modifications to cure structural
problems delayed the F-2's entry into operational service until
2001. The current production programme calls for production of 83
F-2A single-seaters and 47 F-2B two-seaters. Retaining full combat
capability, these have a fuel capacity reduced by 685 liters. The
F-2Bs will be used for conversion and proficiency training,
replacing Mitsubishi T-2s.
|
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