Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his British counterpart Boris Johnson met to discuss future fighter programmes. They are expected sign a Memorandum of Cooperation that will enable them to exchange technologies and work together on future air and missile programmes. Japan also revealed details about its next-generation fighter. This is the first time in 40 years that Japan has been responsible for the development of a fighter craft.
According to the Nikkei newspaper, details of Japan's 6th generation fighter aircraft were revealed. It is expected to enter service by 2035. The aircraft will feature stealth technologies and be optionally manned. They also have high levels manned-unmanned teaming. The aircraft will have an extreme speed, likely in the hypersonic range. Hypersonic weapon fires are very difficult to track. They cannot be recalled. The aircraft will be likely equipped with a supercruise engines, which will allow for incredible flying speeds.
The aircraft will likely come with a bond structure. This means that the aircraft's structures are bonded together. This will reduce the aircraft's overall weight. It will also have a lighter weight and a wider operating range. It will likely have avionics and engines from Japan, as well as a British-developed powerplant.
A joint air-to–air missile program will be developed as part of the UK-Japan partnership. Japan is an expert in domestic component technology research, so they will likely cooperate with British defense and aerospace company BAE Systems. They are skilled in electronic warfare. They will likely work together on data technology that can be used to build military aircraft.
Japan is planning to launch series production in 2031 of F-X, a program that has existed since the 1950s. The aircraft will cost 5 trillion yen ($48 billion), Japan plans on building 90 more aircraft and will deploy the fighter in 2030.
The aircraft will have an integrated bonded structure, which is expected to be made of composite materials. This will help to reduce the overall weight, and it will give the air force more flexibility in air bases and operations. Heat shields will also be fitted to the aircraft. Advanced digital capabilities will be available on the aircraft as well as advanced AI capabilities. Advanced networking systems, Gallium Nitride radars (GaN), and AESA radars will be available on the aircraft.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will design and develop F-X. This program is illustrated by the company's stealth aircraft X2, which flew its first flight in April 2016. The aircraft is high-tech and features fly-by optics, three-dimensional vectored throttle control, and a 3D-vectored thrust controller system. It is also the first demonstration of experimental stealth technology.
It is likely that many other companies will join the UK-Japan Partnership, including Northrup Grumman (Rolls Royce) and Northrup Grumman (Northrup Grumman). 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.