Japan's Prime minister Shinzo Abe met with his counterpart Boris Johnson in the United Kingdom to discuss cooperation on future fighter programme development. They are expected to sign an Memorandum of Cooperation, which will allow them to share technologies and work together in future aircraft and missile programs. Japan also revealed details of its next-generation fighter. This marks the first time Japan has led domestic development of a new fighter craft in 40-years.
The Nikkei newspaper published details about Japan's sixth-generation fighter jet, due to enter service in 2035. The aircraft will feature stealth technologies and be optionally manned. They also have high levels manned-unmanned teaming. It will fly at supersonic speeds. Hypersonic weapons are hard to track and can't be recalled after they have been fired. The super-cruise engine will enable the aircraft to fly at unbelievable speeds.
It is likely that the aircraft will come with a bonded structural, which is the way the aircraft's structure is joined together. This will lower the overall weight. The aircraft will also be lighter and have a greater operating range. The aircraft will likely be equipped with avionics and engines developed by Japanese companies and a powerplant developed by British companies.
The UK-Japan partnership will also include the development and operation of a joint air to-air missile program. Japan is an expert in domestic component technology research, so they will likely cooperate with British defense and aerospace company BAE Systems. They are highly skilled in electronic warfare, so they will likely work on data technology to support military aircraft.
Japan hopes to begin serial production in 2031. Japan has had the F-X program since the 1950s. The aircraft will cost 5 trillion yen ($48 billion), Japan plans to build around 90 of these aircraft and deploy the fighter by 2030.
The integrated bonded structure of the aircraft will be made up of composite materials. This will allow for a reduction in weight and will provide more flexibility to the air force when it comes to operations and bases. Heat shields are also included on the aircraft. The aircraft will also have advanced digital capabilities, and advanced AI capabilities. The aircraft will have advanced networking systems as well, Gallium Nitride (GaN), and AESA Radars.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will design and develop F-X. This is an example of how the program could be constructed. The stealth aircraft X2 from the company, which took off in April 2016, was its first flight. The aircraft is high-tech and features fly-by optics, three-dimensional vectored throttle control, and a 3D-vectored thrust controller system. It also represents the first experimental demonstration of stealth technology.
Many other companies are expected to be part of the UK-Japan partnership, including Northrup Grumman and Rolls Royce. These companies have experience in developing electronic warfare technology as well as air-to–air missiles. They will also work with Japan to develop a new powerplant.