Mitsubishi X-2

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mitsubishi X-2
X-2 First Flight.jpg
Maiden flight of the X-2 Shinshin
Type: Technology demonstrator for a stealth - air superiority fighter
Design country:

JapanJapan Japan

Manufacturer:

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

First flight:

April 22, 2016

Number of pieces:

1

The Mitsubishi X-2 , as previously ATD X designates, is a technology demonstrator the Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and is optionally the basis for a stealth - air superiority fighter provide (F-3). ATD-X is an acronym and stands for A dvanced T echnology D emonstrator - e X perimental. Unofficially, the X-2 in Japan is also called Shinshin ( Japanese 心神 , English for about the spirit of the heart ).

development

Development of the X-2 began when Japan began looking for a replacement for the aging F-15J . Just like in the US , the country wanted to replace the F-15 with the F-22 Raptor . The acquisition of the F-22, however, failed due to the veto of the US Congress , which had earlier objected to the transfer of high-tech military technology . After the license to build a stripped-down F-22J was rejected, Japan began to develop its own new air superiority fighter.

At an early stage of development, RCS- related studies were carried out in France in 2005 with the first full-scale mock-up . Despite the massive cuts in funding in the 2008 budget by the Ministry of Defense , development continued. The rollout took place on May 8, 2014, the first flight was delayed until 2016 due to software problems in the engine control system . On April 22, 2016, the X-2 finally took off from Komaki . In April 2018 it was confirmed that the flight program was completed after 34 flights, with further test flights being carried out at any time if necessary. The program was originally supposed to include 50 flights.

use

Initially, the model was only intended to be used for research into stealth technology. Whether the X-2 program to an F-3 Series production - based fighter will result that would be produced from 2027, or whether foreign aircraft are ordered for reasons of cost, the Defense Department originally wanted to decide by summer 2018th In November 2017, Reuters alleged , citing stakeholders, that the Department of Defense could not agree on this and that the decision may therefore be postponed. In March 2018, the Asahi Shimbun reported, also citing those involved, that the Department of Defense had decided that the X-2 program would not lead to a series aircraft due to financial and technical risks and that US aircraft would be purchased instead, including others Lockheed Martin F-35 . In April 2018, Reuters reported that Lockheed Martin had proposed that the Japanese Ministry of Defense develop a model based on the F-22 and F-35 for their use .

construction

Although most of the details are unknown, the design shares many of the characteristics of a fifth generation fighter jet. There are many constructive similarities with the F-22. The X-2 has a 3D thrust vector control , but this will likely result in a limitation of the steal properties. An XF5 turbofan engine  - a further development of the IHI-17 prototype - is used as the engine. Its power is around 49 kN with a thrust-to-weight ratio of around 8: 1.

Technical specifications

Side view
cockpit
Mitsubishi X-2
Parameter Data
crew 1 pilot
length 14.174 m
span 9,099 m
Wing area 30.86 m²
height 4,514 m
Empty mass 9,700 kg
Max. Takeoff mass 13,000 kg
Engine two IHI -XF5- turbofans
Thrust 2 × 49.03 kN
Top speed Mach 2.25 (Mach 1.82 in Supercruise )
Largest range 2,900 km
Transfer range 3,200 km
Thrust-to-weight ratio 7: 8: 1

See also

Web links

Commons : Mitsubishi X-2  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. Mitsubishi ATD-X ShinShin a Japanese Stealth Fighter . In: Defense Aviation . January 11, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  2. http://aviationweek.typepad.com/ares/2007/06/mitsubishi_stea.html
  3. Japan's Heart Revealed. In: AIR International. August 2014, Breaking News, p. 5
  4. Jane's Information Group : Japan's ATD-X first flight delayed by software glitch ( memento January 9, 2015 in the Internet Archive ), accessed on January 9, 2015
  5. http://www.n24.de/n24/Mediathek/videos/d/8411888/hier-startet-japans-erster-tarnkappenjet.html , accessed on April 22, 2016
  6. Tokyo eyes multiple routes for new fighter jet. FlightGlobal, April 23, 2018, accessed May 18, 2018 (Japanese).
  7. http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-All-the-Worlds-Aircraft/Mitsubishi-ATD-X-Shinshin-Japan.html , accessed on January 5, 2010
  8. Ayako Mie: Japan becomes fourth nation to test-fly homegrown stealth jet . In: Japan Times . April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  9. 防衛 省 、 F3 戦 闘 機 の 開 発 決定 先 送 り 検 討 = 関係 者 . Thomson Reuters , November 13, 2017, accessed May 18, 2018 (Japanese).
  10. F2 後 継 機 の 国産 断 念 へ 防衛 省 、 国際 共同 開 発 を 検 討 . Asahi Shimbun , March 5, 2018, accessed May 18, 2018 (Japanese).
  11. Lockheed Martin to propose stealthy hybrid of F-22 and F-35 for Japan - sources. Thomson Reuters , April 20, 2018, accessed May 18, 2018 (Japanese).
  12. ^ Defense Technology International. November 2008, p. 23.
  13. ジ ェ ッ ト エ ン ジ ン の 現在 、 ジ ェ ッ ト エ ン ジ ン の 現在 、 そ し て 次世代 へ へ の 挑 戦 (Japanese) ( Memento from November 5, 2013 in the Internet Archive )
  14. X-2 で 日本 は 世界 4 ヵ 国 目 の 有人 ス テ ル ス 機 開 発 国 に (Japanese) ( Memento from February 2, 2016 in the Internet Archive )
  15. airforce-technology.com - Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin (ATD-X) Advanced Technology Demonstrator (English), accessed on May 18, 2018