I have never heard of the F-3 and read Aviation magazines/websites etc... For an 2010 date I would have to say that someone is playing tricks.fylr71 said:I just came across this. It looks like the Japanese have a serious project going here.
http://www.outie.net/forums/viewthread.php?tid=22747
AIRCRAFT - FIXED-WING - MILITARY, Japan
Date Posted: 09-Aug-2001
Jane's All the World's Aircraft
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NIHON KOKU JIEITAI (Japan Air Self-Defence Force)
FI-X
Programme for next-generation fighter, to succeed F-15J early in the 21st century. Launched with FY95 allocation of ¥1 billion (US$10.2 million) to IHI to develop new 50 kN (11,240 lb st) class turbofan (XF-7) as power plant, to be test flown in TD-X technology demonstrator. Preliminary TRDI (Japan Defence Agency's Technology Research and Development Institute) design proposal for FI-X showed twin-engined configuration with canards, low aspect ratio tapered wings, twin fins and rudders and thrust-vectoring exhaust nozzles. Construction of up to four prototypes was originally expected to begin in FY99 and to include co-cured composites, radar-absorbent materials and digital fly-by-light and engine control systems. Wing span and length provisionally 9.15 m (30 ft) and 13.40 m (44 ft) respectively. Avionics to include conformal radar and IR seeker.
First XF-7 engine was delivered for static testing in June 1998, but FI-X programme has been stretched, and TD-X demonstrator not now expected to fly until 2007.
ARCHIVED
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© 2001 Jane's Information Group Paul Jackson MRAeS
They wouldn't get it to replace the F-15Js radar, that's why they have AWACs.LancerMc said:The F-22 could cover the same area around Japan with probably a smaller number of aircraft because of its greater range and radar then the F-15J's in service. The only real big question is will Congress let them buy the fighter? Most likely Japan will want to build all or most of the aircraft in Japan, but some parties in the U.S. military are apprehensive about this because the of the close proximity to Russia, China, and N. Korea.
I've been whining about this with my Senator (who sits on the Armed Services Committee) and promises if they do get the deal it will all be made in the US. If they can't except that stipulation then no sale. I think it's a small price to pay for total air dominance.LancerMc said:I think Japan could at best hope to build some parts in their factories and ship them to the states.
I'd agree with that. Maybe a happy medium could be found, with a few "elite" squadrons of F-22s mixed in with a larger number of F-35s. But certainly I don't think Japan should sacrifice too much in the way of numbers just to have as many Raptors as it can afford.contedicavour said:I still see the F35 as the best replacement for the F4J and F15J in terms of cost-performance.
Would their perhaps be a time limit on when the US would release the design of the F-22, say in 10 years when someone matches it, they start spreading them out. And how long for the production line to deliever the entire order for the USAF?Musashi_kenshin said:I'd agree with that. Maybe a happy medium could be found, with a few "elite" squadrons of F-22s mixed in with a larger number of F-35s. But certainly I don't think Japan should sacrifice too much in the way of numbers just to have as many Raptors as it can afford.
It is worth noting that currently Japan is only spending 1% of GDP of defence, so there's scope to increase funding for things like a F-22 purchase, or simply have a special weapons purchase bill passed.
About 2009. Production of long-lead items will stop some time before that.icelord said:And how long for the production line to deliever the entire order for the USAF?
Japan wouldn't need to scrap Article 9 to allow it to purchase F-22s. According to Article 9 the JSDF shouldn't exist, so that shows how pointless it is if read too narrowly.icelord said:The problem for Japan at the moment would be that the F-22 would be seen more as an attack fighter then for Defence, with all the flash gear and semi-stealth capabilities. The F-35 may be viable in the way of replacement in a few years.
The reason Japan spends only 1% of their GDP is because their defence force is purely for defence. With the selection of Abe to replace Koizumi, who is known to be a reformer and keen for Japan to have a greater part on the worlds stage, then Article 9 may be scrapped, which would open the way for Japan to spend more on their forces, and a future purchase of the F-22, noting my first paragraphs argument.
Exactly F-22 are like the Penultimate Defense weapons, if anything they support the SDF policies, sure they can carry a couple of JDAMS but really...Musashi_kenshin said:Japan wouldn't need to scrap Article 9 to allow it to purchase F-22s. According to Article 9 the JSDF shouldn't exist, so that shows how pointless it is if read too narrowly.
Abe could easily say that Raptors would help provide Japan with air-defence superiority. They wouldn't be that useful for aggressive-offensive purposes unless they were backed up by other weapons like cruise missiles.