Fighter Aircraft
Mitsubishi F-2
The Mitsubishi F-2 is a single-engine multirole fighter built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with Lockheed Martin in Japan and in service with the JASDF since 2000. A heavily modified F-16, it is built around anti-ship strike and a Japanese AESA radar.
Japan|Mitsubishi Heavy Industries & Lockheed MartinOverview
The F-2 came from the FS-X programme, which reworked the F-16 into a larger aircraft. It first flew on 7 October 1995 and entered JASDF service in 2000. Compared with the F-16 it has a wing about 25 percent larger in co-cured composite, a longer fuselage, a drag chute and radar-absorbing material, and it was the first fighter with an operational AESA radar, the J/APG-1. A GE F110-GE-129 engine gives a top speed near Mach 2.0, and up to four ASM-1C or ASM-2 anti-ship missiles can be carried.
Production totalled 94 aircraft, 62 single-seat F-2A and 32 two-seat F-2B, and ended in 2011 after the final batch was cut for cost. Unit cost was around 120 million US dollars, roughly three times an F-16 of the period. The 2011 Tohoku tsunami destroyed 11 airframes at Matsushima. About 90 aircraft are being upgraded with the J/APG-2 radar and new datalinks, and the fleet of roughly 80 to 90 is expected to serve until about 2035 to 2040, when GCAP arrives.
Key Specifications
Variants
The F-2A is the single-seat production version optimised for anti-ship and strike missions.
The F-2B is the two-seat trainer version that retains combat capability.
The upgraded F-2 receives the J/APG-2 AESA radar, new datalinks and updated mission systems.
Operators
JapanFrequently Asked Questions
How much does the F-2 fighter cost?
The Mitsubishi F-2 cost around 120 million US dollars, or about 12 billion yen, per aircraft in the late production run. That was roughly three times the price of an F-16 of the period, and sources vary.
How fast is the Mitsubishi F-2?
The Mitsubishi F-2 reaches a maximum speed of about Mach 2.0. Its combat radius is about 830 km in an anti-ship configuration, and its ceiling is around 18,000 m.
How many F-2 fighters does Japan have?
Japan has roughly 80 to 90 Mitsubishi F-2 fighters in service. A total of 94 were built, and 11 were destroyed in the 2011 tsunami at Matsushima air base.
F-2 vs F-16: what is the difference?
The Mitsubishi F-2 is a larger, more expensive F-16 derivative with a bigger composite wing, a longer fuselage and a Japanese AESA radar. Its structure was largely redesigned, commonly cited as about 95 percent.
Is the F-2 a stealth fighter?
The Mitsubishi F-2 is not a stealth fighter. It is a 4th-generation aircraft, sometimes called 4.5 because of its AESA radar, though it does use radar-absorbing material on the airframe.
Which countries use the F-2?
Only Japan uses the Mitsubishi F-2, which serves with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Japan’s export restrictions have prevented any sale abroad, and GCAP is due to replace the F-2.