Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his British counterpart Boris Johnson met to discuss future fighter programmes. They are expected to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation to share technologies and work together on future aircraft and missile programmes. Japan also showed details about its next generation fighter. In 40 years, this is the first time Japan has been involved in the development of a new fighter aircraft.
According to the Nikkei newspaper details were revealed about Japan's 6th-generation fighter. The aircraft will enter service in 2035. The aircraft will employ stealth technologies, with the option of being manned, and offer high levels in manned-unmanned partnership. The aircraft will reach speeds of up to hypersonic range. 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.
The aircraft will likely come with a bond structure. This means that the aircraft's structures are bonded together. This will help to reduce the overall weight of the aircraft. This aircraft will have a shorter range and a lower weight. The aircraft will be likely equipped with Japanese-developed avionics engines and an engine developed by British companies.
The UK-Japan partnership will also include the development and operation of a joint air to-air missile program. Japan has done extensive research on components and will likely partner with British aerospace and defense firm BAE Systems. They are experts in electronic warfare and will likely work with BAE Systems to develop data technology for military planes.
Japan is planning to launch series production in 2031 of F-X, a program that has existed since the 1950s. The aircraft will cost approximately 5 trillion yen or $48 billion. Japan also plans to build approximately 90 fighters and is ready to deploy them in the 2030s.
An integrated bonded structure will be used to support the aircraft, and it is likely that this structure will be made of composite material. This will help reduce weight and provide greater flexibility for air base operations. The aircraft will also come with heat shields. 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. The company's X2 stealth aircraft, which made its first flight in April 2016, is an example of how this program could be built. It's a high-tech aircraft that features three-dimensional vectored control, flyby optics, as well as a 3D vectored control system. It also serves as the first experimental stealth aircraft demonstration.
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.