Mitsubishi F-2

Mitsubishi F-2

Type: fighter

Domain: air

Country of Origin: Japan

Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries / Lockheed Martin

First Deployed: 2000

Overview

Japan's indigenous multirole fighter derived from the F-16 Fighting Falcon but significantly enlarged and extensively redesigned with Japanese technology. Features a 25% larger wing area than the F-16 using advanced co-cured composite construction (Japan was a pioneer in composite fighter structures), the world's first operational active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar (J/APG-1, later upgraded to J/APG-2), and integration of Japanese weapons including the ASM-1C and ASM-2 anti-ship missiles — reflecting the F-2's primary role as a maritime strike fighter defending Japan's extensive sea approaches. Powered by a single GE F110-129 engine producing 29,500 lbf. Maximum weight of 22,100 kg with 13 hardpoints. 94 aircraft built (62 single-seat F-2A and 32 two-seat F-2B). The F-2 will be replaced by the F-3/GCAP from the mid-2030s. Currently operated by 3 JASDF squadrons.

Technical Specifications

crew1 (F-2A) / 2 (F-2B)
armamentJM61A1 20mm; AAM-4B, AAM-5, ASM-2/3; JDAM
avionicsJ/APG-2 AESA radar (world's first fighter AESA)
max_speedMach 2.0
fleet_size~90 operational
combat_radius830 km

Operators

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