Japan's Mitsubishi F-2 fighter is considered the most powerful version developed on the basis of the American F-16
High maneuverability, precise avionics, and modern arsenal make the F-2's combat performance stronger than the Chinese J-10
The F-2 is manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with direct support from Lockheed Martin for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces
with a 60/40 split in manufacturing between Japan and the United States
The F-2 is nicknamed "Viper Zero", a reference to the F-16's semi-official nickname of "Viper" and the Mitsubishi A6M Zero
Production started in 1996 and the first aircraft entered service in 2000
The first 76 aircraft entered service by 2008, with a total of 98 airframes produced
When completed, the Japanese fighter is slightly larger than the original version, with a length of 15.52 m
a wingspan of 11,125 m, an empty weight of 9.52 tons, and a maximum takeoff weight of 22.1. ton
The F-2 can reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.7 at high altitude, and Mach 1.1 at low altitude
a combat range of 833 km, and a service ceiling of 18,000 m
Despite its obvious appearance to the America fighter
the Mitsubishi F-2 incorporates enough new features and local technology to consider it a highly modified Japanese variant of the F-16
The fuselage, though mimicking the American F-16C in general contour and shape
has evolved to become some 25% larger than the original with more advanced composites introduced to its construction
The fuselage has been lengthened and a three-piece framed cockpit selected over the large -area glass version on the F-16
The tail unit has been given an increase in surface area while the intake is of a larger dimension
Due to restrictions imposed by the American State Department on export of fly-by-wire control software, Japanese engineers have developed a local solution
The nose assembly, too, houses a Mitsubishi-brand Active Electronically Scanned Array radar while the cockpit retains Head-Up Display
color Multi-Function Displays and Hands-on-Throttle-and-Stick control arrangement
The aircraft’s integrated electronic warfare system, mission computer and active phased array radar were developed by Mitsubishi Electric
An M61A1 Vulcan 20mm multi-barrel gun is installed in the wing root of the port wing
There are 13 hardpoints for carrying weapon systems and stores
one on the fuselage centreline, one on each wing-tip and five under each wing
The stores management system is supplied by Lockheed Martin
The aircraft is capable of deploying the Raytheon AIM-7F/M medium-range Sparrow air-to-air missile
the Raytheon AIM-9L short-range Sidewinder and the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries AAM-3 short-range air-to-air missile
The F-2 is armed with the ASM-1 and ASM-2 anti-ship missiles
The fighter can also carry 500lb bombs, CBU-87/B cluster bombs and rocket launchers
The centreline and the inner-wing hardpoints can carry drop tanks with a 4,400kg fuel capacity
Although rated even higher than the F-16, it also has a much more expensive price than the original
Currently, Japan plans to retire its fleet of F-2 fighters by the late 2030s
However, the plan is facing certain obstacles financially, as well as the Tokyo plan itself and the US-Japan relationship