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F-2 Mitsubishi
F-2
Multi-Role Fighter

DESCRIPTION:
The Japanese government issued the FS-X requirement to replace the F-1 attack fighter. The FS-X specified an advanced fighter bomber to be built indigenously by Japanese industry. Mitsubishi was named prime contractor in 1988 with Fuji and Kawasaki also contributing. The American firm General Dynamics (later purchased by Lockheed Martin) also assumed a 40% share of the project. This decision was made so that Mitsubishi could base its design on the American F-16C fighter. However, the US Congress raised many questions about technology transfer issues that not only delayed the program by at least two years but increased its overall cost by an estimated 70%. Nevertheless, this additional time did allow designers to significantly alter original plans and develop a much improved (albeit much more expensive) derivative of the F-16.
The FS-X that emerged from this process, though superficially similar in appearance and performance, is much larger and heavier than the original F-16. Now designated as the F-2, the design features a larger wing, increased payload, enlarged vertical and horizontal tails, and more advanced radar and navigation systems. The F-2 also makes extensive use of composite materials in the airframe and radar absorbant materials to reduce observability. The F-2 successfully overcame its early difficulties and is now in service with the Air Self Defence Force.
Japan had originally hoped to build as many as 141 F-2 fighters but increasing unit cost forced production to end at 98 aircraft, including 65 single-seat F-2A attack fightes and 33 two-seat F-2B trainers. More than half of the F-2B fleet was heavily damaged (probably beyond repair) when 18 trainers were submerged in the 2011 tsunami that struck the Matsushima air base in northern Japan.
Last modified 29 April 2011

HISTORY:

First Flight 7 October 1995

Service Entry

2001

CREW: one: pilot

ESTIMATED COST:

$108 million [2004$]

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root unknown

Wing Tip

unknown

DIMENSIONS:

Length 50.92 ft (15.53 m)

Wingspan 36.52 ft (11.13 m)

Height 16.31 ft (4.97 m)

Wing Area 375 ft² (34.84 m²)

Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:

Empty [F-2A] 21,000 lb (9,525 kg)
[F-2B] 21,235 lb (9,635 kg)

Normal Takeoff unknown

Max Takeoff 48,700 lb (22,100 kg)

Fuel Capacity internal: 8,470 lb (3,840 kg) [F-2A]
internal: 6,830 lb (3,100 kg) [F-2B]
external: 6,170 lb (2,800 kg) in one 300 gal (1,135 L) and two 600 gal (2,270 L) tanks

Max Payload

19,840 lb (9,000 kg)

PROPULSION:

Powerplant one General Electric F110-129 afterburning turbofan

Thrust 17,000 lb (75.62 kN)
29,600 lb (131.67 kN) with afterburner

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude: Mach 2.0
at sea level: Mach 1.1

Initial Climb Rate unknown

Service Ceiling 65,555 ft (20,000 m)

Range typical: 900 nm (1,665 km)
ferry: unknown

g-Limits +9 / -3

ARMAMENT:

Gun one 20-mm M61A1 cannon

Stations seven hardpoints and two wingtip rails

Air-to-Air Missile AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AAM-1, AAM-3

Air-to-Surface Missile AGM-65 Maverick, ASM-2

Bomb Mk 82 GP, GCS-1, cluster

Other rocket pods

KNOWN VARIANTS:

FS-X Original project designation

TFS-X Original designation for a two-seat trainer variant

XF-2A Prototype single-seat fighter; 2 built

XF-2B Prototype two-seat trainer; 2 built

F-2A Production single-seat fighter equipped primarily for air superiority and anti-shipping missions; 65 built

F-2B Production two-seat trainer; 33 built

Advanced trainer Derivative of the F-2B proposed as a replacement for the T-2 trainer

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:

none

KNOWN OPERATORS:

Japan, Nihon Koku-Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defence Force)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

F-2

SOURCES:

Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 650, Mitsubishi FS-X/TFS-X.

Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 325, Mitsubishi/Lockheed (General Dynamics) FS-X.

Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 182-183, Mitsubishi FS-X.

Müller, Claudio. Aircraft of the World. NY: Muddle Puddle Books, 2004, p. 246-247, Mitsubishi F-2.

Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 77, Mitsubishi F-2.

Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 57-58, Mitsubishi FS-X.

Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 42-43, Mitsubishi F-2.

Winchester, Jim. Concept Aircraft: Prototypes, X-Planes and Experimental Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 2005, p. 168-169, Mitsubishi FS-X (F-2).

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DESCRIPTION: The Japanese government issued the FS-X requirement to replace the F-1 attack fighter. The FS-X specified an advanced fighter bomber to be built indigenously by Japanese industry. Mitsubishi was named prime contractor in 1988 with Fuji and Kawasaki also contributing. The American firm General Dynamics (later purchased by Lockheed Martin) also assumed a 40% share of the project. This decision was made so that Mitsubishi could base its design on the American F-16C fighter. However, the US Congress raised many questions about technology transfer issues that not only delayed the program by at least two years but increased its overall cost by an estimated 70%. Nevertheless, this additional time did allow designers to significantly alter original plans and develop a much improved (albeit much more expensive) derivative of the F-16. The FS-X that emerged from this process, though superficially similar in appearance and performance, is much larger and heavier than the original F-16. Now designated as the F-2, the design features a larger wing, increased payload, enlarged vertical and horizontal tails, and more advanced radar and navigation systems. The F-2 also makes extensive use of composite materials in the airframe and radar absorbant materials to reduce observability. The F-2 successfully overcame its early difficulties and is now in service with the Air Self Defence Force. Japan had originally hoped to build as many as 141 F-2 fighters but increasing unit cost forced production to end at 98 aircraft, including 65 single-seat F-2A attack fightes and 33 two-seat F-2B trainers. More than half of the F-2B fleet was heavily damaged (probably beyond repair) when 18 trainers were submerged in the 2011 tsunami that struck the Matsushima air base in northern Japan. Last modified 29 April 2011
HISTORY:
First Flight	7 October 1995
Service Entry	2001
CREW:	one: pilot
ESTIMATED COST:	$108 million [2004$]
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	unknown
Wing Tip	unknown
DIMENSIONS:
Length	50.92 ft (15.53 m)
Wingspan	36.52 ft (11.13 m)
Height	16.31 ft (4.97 m)
Wing Area	375 ft² (34.84 m²)
Canard Area	not applicable
WEIGHTS:
Empty	[F-2A] 21,000 lb (9,525 kg) [F-2B] 21,235 lb (9,635 kg)
Normal Takeoff	unknown
Max Takeoff	48,700 lb (22,100 kg)
Fuel Capacity	internal: 8,470 lb (3,840 kg) [F-2A] internal: 6,830 lb (3,100 kg) [F-2B] external: 6,170 lb (2,800 kg) in one 300 gal (1,135 L) and two 600 gal (2,270 L) tanks
Max Payload	19,840 lb (9,000 kg)
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	one General Electric F110-129 afterburning turbofan
Thrust	17,000 lb (75.62 kN) 29,600 lb (131.67 kN) with afterburner
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: Mach 2.0 at sea level: Mach 1.1
Initial Climb Rate	unknown
Service Ceiling	65,555 ft (20,000 m)
Range	typical: 900 nm (1,665 km) ferry: unknown
g-Limits	+9 / -3
ARMAMENT:
Gun	one 20-mm M61A1 cannon
Stations	seven hardpoints and two wingtip rails
Air-to-Air Missile	AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AAM-1, AAM-3
Air-to-Surface Missile	AGM-65 Maverick, ASM-2
Bomb	Mk 82 GP, GCS-1, cluster
Other	rocket pods
KNOWN VARIANTS:
FS-X	Original project designation
TFS-X	Original designation for a two-seat trainer variant
XF-2A	Prototype single-seat fighter; 2 built
XF-2B	Prototype two-seat trainer; 2 built
F-2A	Production single-seat fighter equipped primarily for air superiority and anti-shipping missions; 65 built
F-2B	Production two-seat trainer; 33 built
Advanced trainer	Derivative of the F-2B proposed as a replacement for the T-2 trainer
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:	none
KNOWN OPERATORS:	Japan, Nihon Koku-Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defence Force)
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 650, Mitsubishi FS-X/TFS-X. Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 325, Mitsubishi/Lockheed (General Dynamics) FS-X. Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 182-183, Mitsubishi FS-X. Müller, Claudio. Aircraft of the World. NY: Muddle Puddle Books, 2004, p. 246-247, Mitsubishi F-2. Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 77, Mitsubishi F-2. Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 57-58, Mitsubishi FS-X. Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 42-43, Mitsubishi F-2. Winchester, Jim. Concept Aircraft: Prototypes, X-Planes and Experimental Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 2005, p. 168-169, Mitsubishi FS-X (F-2).