During a visit to the United Kingdom last year, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his British counterpart Boris Johnson agreed to cooperate on future fighter programmes. They are expected to sign an Memorandum of Cooperation, which will allow them to share technologies and work together in future aircraft and missile programs. In addition, Japan has revealed details of its own next-generation fighter. This marks the first domestically developed fighter craft by Japan in over 40 years.
A report by the Nikkei newspaper revealed details of Japan's 6th-generation fighter, which is set to enter service in 2035. The aircraft will use stealth technologies, optionally manned, and display high levels of manned-unmanned teaming. The aircraft will be extremely fast, most likely at hypersonic range. Hypersonic weapons are difficult to track and cannot be recalled once they are fired. The aircraft will be likely equipped with a supercruise engines, which will allow for incredible flying speeds.
The aircraft is expected to come with a bonded structure, which means that the structure of the aircraft is bonded together. This will reduce aircraft weight. The aircraft will also have a reduced weight and a longer operational range. The aircraft will likely be equipped with avionics and engines developed by Japanese companies and a powerplant developed by British companies.
The UK-Japan partnership will include the development of a joint air-to-air missile program. Japan has done extensive research on components and will likely partner with British aerospace and defense firm BAE Systems. They are highly skilled in electronic warfare, so they will likely work on data technology to support military aircraft.
Japan plans to launch series production of F-X aircraft in 2031. The aircraft will cost approximately 5 trillion yen or $48 billion. Japan will build 90 aircraft and be ready to deploy fighters in the 2030s.
The integrated bonded structure of the aircraft will be made up of composite materials. This will help reduce weight and provide greater flexibility for air base operations. Heat shields are also included on the aircraft. The aircraft will also have advanced digital capabilities, and advanced AI capabilities. Advanced networking systems, Gallium Nickel (GaN), radars, as well as AESA radars, will all be part of the aircraft.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will create the F-X program. 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. The aircraft is also the first experimental stealth technology demonstration.
Many other companies are expected to be part of the UK-Japan partnership, including Northrup Grumman and Rolls Royce. These companies are experts in electronic warfare technology and air-to-air missile development, and will collaborate with the Japanese company to create a powerplant.