The Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin, is a Japanese experimental aircraft for testing advanced
stealth fighter aircraft technologies.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI)
is developing it for research purposes.
The main contractor of the project is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The X-2 will be used as a technology demonstrator and research prototype to determine whether
domestic advanced technologies for a fifth generation fighter aircraft are viable.
It has been under development at a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plant in Toyoyama since 2009.
Japan has been very conscious of the increasing Chinese assertiveness and belligerency.
Keeping this in view, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, Japan was seeking
to replace its aging fleet of fighter aircraft.
It had approached the United States for purchasing several Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighters.
However the U.S. Congress had banned the exporting of the aircraft in order to safeguard secrets
of the aircraft's technology such as its extensive use of stealth.
This rejection led Japan to develop its own modern 5th generation fighter.
Currently there are limited details available.
Here is what we know about it so far:
1. The jet will have stealth features and enabling it to have very small Radar Cross Section (RCS).
This will make it harder for the radars to detect this jet.
2. The aircraft features 3D thrust vectoring capability for enhanced maneuverability.
3. Its radar will be an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar called the 'Multifunction
RF Sensor', which is intended to have broad spectrum agility, capabilities for electronic
countermeasures (ECM), electronic support measures (ESM), communications functions,
and possibly even microwave weapon functions.
4. Among the planned features of the X2 is a fly-by-optics flight control system.
5. Ability to super cruise at Mach 1.8.
6. A 'Self Repairing Flight Control Capability' which will allow the aircraft to automatically
detect failures or damage in its flight control surfaces like wings, and use the remaining
control surfaces to calibrate accordingly to retain controlled flight.
The X2 for the first time took off from Nagoya airport in Aichi Prefecture at 8:47 a.m.,
on 22 April 2016.
After the United States, China, and Russia, Japan has become the 4th nation to test-fly
an indigenously developed stealth aircraft.
Currently Japan has not finalized on the option it will choose with respect to 5th gen fighter.
Tokyo is exploring the following options:
1. Develop a homegrown stealth fighter jet all by itself.
2. Jointly develop it with other countries.
3. Buy F 35 from the United States.
The decision is likely to be taken by March 2019.
Japan has spent $331 million on the X-2 so far.
The introduction of the prototype comes at a time when competition in developing superior
stealth fighters has intensified.
China’s Chengdu J-10, which has some stealth capability, is already in service, and Beijing
is likely to introduce the fifth-generation fighter jet Chengdu J-20 in a few years.
With increasing fear of Chinese aggression, Japan has chosen to upgrade it defenses.
Especially current Prime Minister Abe, has sought to broaden his nation’s military
capabilities and reach.
Having superior jet fighters is crucial to Japan’s air defense, particularly at a time
when is China ramping up its maritime and aerial military capabilities in the East and
South China seas.