Shinshin (Ghost) Japan’s Stealth Fighter

[topol-m]

Great find, Antartis! Can`t wait to see this project realized :)

[Antartis]

The Japanese asked for these engines, I did not know that the fighter will be to light-medium category.

 

I believed that were making similar to F-22 category.

Edited April 28, 2010 by Antartis

[Exorcet]

Yeah, 20,000 lbf is less than I expected, but then again, the EF-2000 makes due with the same power. A stealth Eurofighter doesn't sound like a bad idea.

[topol-m]

General Electric F414 would be better than F404 and Snecma M88 :)

Edited April 29, 2010 by topol-m

[Antartis]

F-3 ShinShin R&D cost estimated at $5.9 ~ 9.4 billion, demonstrator flying in 2015

 

 

http://www.nikkei.com/news/latest/ar...E28297EAE2E2E2

 

Japan's MoD has finalized the performance and functional objectives of F-3 ShinShin.

 

- R&D cost for F-3 ShinShin is estimated to be $5.9 ~ 9.4 billion

- First demonstrator will be flying in 2015.

- F-3 ShinShin will replace F-2.

- Japan might seek international partners for ShinShin project to co-fund it.

 

Some key features of F-3 ShinShin

 

- Anti-stealth radar where stealth targets are quickly acquired.

- Networked combat management system, where sensor data is shared and missiles fired from any ShinShin could be guided by any other ShinShin.

 

 

source

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?185015-F-3-ShinShin-R-amp-D-cost-estimated-at-5.9-9.4-billion-demonstrator-flying-in-2015

[topol-m]

:cheer3nc::cheer3nc::cheer3nc:

[Teknetinium]

looks like mean F-15. Good looking bird.

[IronsightSniper]

:O

 

 

RCS estimates(preferably Official figures) NOW!

[Antartis]

Tokyo, Seoul Mull Advanced Fighters

 

By Bradley Perrett

Tokyo

Japan’s defense ministry sees a sixth-generation manned fighter with counter-stealth capability for the 2030s, while South Korea is trying to form a consortium of developing countries to field an affordable fighter in the 2020s, positioning it between the Lockheed Martin F-16 and F-35.

The Japanese sixth-generation fighter concept, called i3 (informed, intelligent and instantaneous), has seven features that the defense ministry regard as crucial for the fighter to be effective against potential opponents, according to the ministry’s Future Fighter Research & Development Vision, released on Aug. 25.

One feature, jamming-resistant fly-by-light controls, has been introduced in the Kawasaki P-1 maritime patroller, which first flew in 2007. The ministry believes four more features could be ready by 2030:

•Greater stealth than that of opponents, requiring developments in coatings, internal weapon bays and intake design.

•Next-generation high-power radar that detects and tracks stealthy targets, requiring development of advanced integrated sensors and all-around protection.

•Cloud-shooting, in which the fighters fire missiles using targeting data from other sources—for example, each other and early-warning aircraft.

•A powerful next-generation engine with a slim cross-section and heat-resistant turbine discs and ceramic nozzle.

The engine, radar and stealth technologies are in development and should be ready in 2016-20. The Mitsubishi ATD-X fighter technology demonstrator that will fly for the first time in 2014 will be the testing platform.

The next two technologies would be ready in the 2040s: networking with sensor drones that fly ahead of the manned fighters, helping them remain undetected while detecting stealthy targets; and a directed-energy weapon, based on research that would begin next year, focusing on lasers and high-power microwaves.

Cloud-shooting is similar in concept to the silent attack tactics of the Saab Gripen, in which four aircraft flying together share targeting data, allowing one or two to shoot without turning on their radars. The Eurofighter Typhoon demonstrated third-party targeting capability in 2009, but the shooter’s radar had to provide mid-course updates to the missile.

 

The Japanese concept may allow mid-course updates to the missile from another friendly source. It envisions unarmed sensor drones controlled by manned fighters in the air-defense mission, unlike some European concepts, in which the manned fighters would control combat drones conducting strike missions.

The ministry summarizes its philosophy behind cloud shooting thus: “Once one side locks on and shoots, there will always be a hit.”

The ministry is ambiguous about planning, but expects that full-scale development of the i3 fighter would begin in 2021 after a decade of predevelopment of the first batch of key technologies. The aircraft, if developed, would enter service in the 2030s, replacing the Mitsubishi F-2, which was fielded in 2000. The estimated development cost of the i3 is ¥500-800 billion ($5.9-9.5 billion).

Japan’s F-2, an F-16 derivative developed with the U.S. for ¥376.6 billion, could provide a model for South Korea’s KF-X project, which aims to develop an affordable fighter with Western technological assistance and up to 40% cost-sharing by developing countries that wish to foster their aerospace industries.

The KF-X is to have capabilities between the fourth-generation F-16 and fifth-generation F-35, says Dae-yeol Lee, head of air systems development at the government’s defense development agency. KF-X would have two options: an adaptation of an existing design, following the F-2 model; or a clean-sheet design, the approach Taiwan adopted with its Ching Kuo aircraft in the 1980s.

If the KF-X follows the F-2 model, it could end up as a modified version of a U.S. or European fighter, such as the Boeing F/A-18 or Eurofighter Typhoon. South Korean companies would prefer a new design, but the country was unwilling to go that far with a utility helicopter, let alone a 4.5-generation fighter. The Korean Utility Helicopter was conceived as a new and independent design but eventually developed with advice from Eurocopter, using the configuration of the Cougar.

The first country interested in joining the KF-X program is Indonesia, whose defense ministry signed a memorandum of understanding on July 15, saying it would pay 20% of development costs and buy 50 aircraft. Turkey is being courted to take 20% of the development program.

Whether South Korea’s attempt to create and lead a joint development program succeeds will hinge upon the KF-X’s concept definition, to be carried out in 2011-12.

USAF

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/dti/2010/10/01/DT_10_01_2010_p26-253946.xml&channel=defense

[Antartis]

Feb 11, 2011

 

 

 

 

By Bradley Perrett

Beijing

 

Japanese industry is urging the government to keep the country’s planned F-X fighter in production until 2028, raising the stakes for the three Western companies competing for the program.

 

Full-scale development of an indigenous follow-on fighter, meanwhile, should begin between 2015 and 2017, the industry’s Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies recommends. The industry thus envisages two parallel, long-term projects, one for the factories and one for the development teams, to sustain the country’s fighter industrial base after deliveries of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries F-2s end this year.

 

There is a sign that the industry expects Japan to order the Lockheed Martin F-35 for the F-X program, because the society fails to advocate the other possible way to keep developers busy: extensive modification of the chosen aircraft. That option has been open for two of the competitors, the Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, but not for the F-35, whose technology is tightly controlled by the U.S.

 

Anxious to preserve skills, Japanese aerospace companies have previously backed aircraft other than the F-35, industry and government officials say. It now seems industry is looking for another way forward. Even though the competition is still under way, the Mainichi newspaper reported in November that the air force would seek F-35 procurement funds in its budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2012.

 

Japan is expected to build much of the F-X aircraft domestically.

 

Whoever wins, the prize will be bigger if the government follows the society’s advice to build until 2028, greatly surpassing the stated program goal of delivering 50 fighters to replace Japan’s remaining F-4EJ Kai Phantoms. If the plants begin delivering fighters in, say, 2014 and maintain the average rate of the F-2 program, eight units a year, then F-X production would reach 120 aircraft.

 

The winning type would then become a partial replacement for Japan’s 200 F-15s, as the Mainichi has also suggested.

 

The Phantoms, more than 30 years old and built to a 1950s basic design, are slated to retire by 2015, a date that appears increasingly difficult to achieve as years pass without an F-X decision. The society’s envisaged retirement date for the type is 2018—either because that is the government’s current projection or because it sees 2018 as the earliest time by which enough F-X fighters could be fielded. Typhoons or Super Hornets would be available in larger numbers sooner than F-35s.

 

The F-X production plan appears in the society’s discussion of a 15-year gap between the end of F-2 production and the beginning of preparatory work in 2026 for volume production of an indigenous fighter. The society suggests either a foreign or Japanese design could fill the gap, but the defense ministry has rejected further production of the available domestic aircraft, the F-2, so the answer can only be the F-X.

 

The follow-on fighter would be the one already intended to emerge from the i3 technology acquisition effort (AW&ST Nov. 15, 2010, p. 37; Sept. 6, 2010, p. 29). Volume production would begin in 2028. Work on some of the technologies has already begun, including studies for an advanced engine (see p. 33). Research laying the ground for the project should continue until 2017, the society says, while the country test-flies its ATD-X stealth technology demonstrator in 2014-16.

 

Dovetailing with that, full-scale development of the i3 fighter would begin by 2017, long before the defense ministry’s nominated date, 2021. One consideration must be that work for the developers will tail off once the demonstrator is flying.

 

The i3’s first flight would come in 2025 and service entry in 2031 under the society’s plan, which it sets out as an industry road map extending into the 2030s.

 

“Domestic development and production needs to be sustained in case the United States withholds its technology,” it says, indirectly reminding the government of its failed attempt to buy the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor for the F-X.

 

“Among 13 companies interviewed [for this report], only one said that it could return fighter engineers to fighter work after a five-year gap,” the society says.

 

Two other issues that are not mentioned but may determine the future of Japanese fighter programs are the U.S. Air Force’s plan for a Next Generation Tactical Aircraft to become operational in 2030, and Japan’s cautious move toward allowing defense exports, with a view to taking part in international cooperative arms programs (AW&ST Dec. 13, 2010, p. 53).

 

Those two factors, plus the considerable cost of building an indigenous fighter, mean the i3 effort could turn into a Japanese contribution to a U.S. fighter of the so-called sixth generation. If it does not, perhaps because the U.S. declines foreign help on such a sensitive project, then Japan will at least be technologically positioned to go it alone.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/awst/2011/02/14/AW_02_14_2011_p32-288738.xml&headline=Japan%27s%20Roadmap%20To%20An%20Indigenous%20Fighter

[Antartis]

 

Japan stealth jet prototype set to fly in 2014

 

 

TOKYO (AP) — A senior military official says Japan is on track to test a domestically designed prototype stealth fighter in three years.

Lt. Gen. Hideyuki Yoshioka says the prototype will likely be rolled out for a test flight on schedule in 2014.

Yoshioka is the director the air systems development at Japan’s Ministry of Defense and spoke with The AP this week.

Japan has put 39 billion yen ($ 473 million) into the project since 2009 after it became clear the United States was not likely to sell its most advanced fighter jet because of a congressional export ban.

Japan relies to a large degree for its defense on its alliance with the United States.

But China and Russia have made great strides toward perfecting advanced stealth fighters that could rival the U.S.

(This version CORRECTS that fighter will be ready for test in three years.)

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

 

link

http://asiancorrespondent.com/49789/japan-stealth-jet-prototype-set-to-fly-in-2014/

[Antartis]

First flight of Japanese ATD-X likely in 2014

By Greg Waldron

 

 

Tokyo has reaffirmed its plan for a 2014 first flight of its experimental Mitsubishi ATD-X Shinshin stealth demonstrator, while it also considers three fighters for its F-X requirement.

"The first flight of the ATD-X is scheduled in Japan fiscal year 2014," said Japan's defence ministry.

"The ATD-X is a trial product of a high-manoeuvrability stealth aircraft adopting various state-of-the-art technologies that may be applied to future fighters, and confirm and verify the practicality and operational effectiveness of systems under various flight conditions," said the ministry. "It is also intended for the study of air defence against stealth fighters that might be deployed in the neighbouring region in the future."

© Flightglobal/Tim Bicheno-Brown

 

Japan unveiled the first full-sized mock-up of the ATD-X at Japan Aerospace 2008. Many observers, noting the immense costs and risks in developing an indigenous fighter, have speculated that the project was a bargaining chip to help Tokyo gain access to the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, which Washington steadfastly refused to sell to its Pacific ally.

Meanwhile, the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed F-35A Lightning II are vying for the F-X requirement to replace Japan's McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms. Tokyo issued a long-awaited request for proposals for the deal in April.

According to Tokyo's mid-term defence programme for the years 2011-15, the Japan Air Self-Defence Force has initial plans to procure 12 aircraft, with the final number yet to be determined. At a media briefing at the Paris air show, however, Boeing said the F-X requirement is for 42 aircraft.

Boeing added that it elected to offer the Super Hornet as opposed to a variant of the F-15 because Japan seeks a diversity of fighter types. The country operates a large force of F-15Js, but was concerned about readiness in the event of a problem with a specific type of aircraft.

Under F-X, substantial parts of the aircraft selected will be produced in Japan. Both Boeing and Lockheed have a long history of industrial co-operation with Japan on fighter programmes, while Eurofighter is a newcomer. The strong diplomatic ties between the USA and Japan, and the possibility that they may one day face common threats in the form of North Korea or China, would appear to favour the US aircraft over their European rival.

Tokyo expects proposals to be submitted by the end of September. The defence ministry said it will request that funds for the F-X purchase be appropriated for FY2012, with the aim of inducting the aircraft in 2016.

 

source http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/06/30/359002/first-flight-of-japanese-atd-x-likely-in-2014.html

 

After the devastating earthquake, Ι see it is good that the Japanese can continue normally.

[topol-m]

After the events that took place in March I was concerned that it might be delayed. It`s great to see it`s first flight is still scheduled for 2014. Thanks for the news Antartis.

[Pilotasso]

But Im concerned they are getting over debt. It doesnt looks good the money they are spending.

[topol-m]

3 new photos of the ATD-X full scale mock up:

 

[ALDEGA]

Someone ignored the "do not photograph" sign :D

[topol-m]

Someone ignored the "do not photograph" sign :D

 

yep, and it seems he/she got away with it :thumbup:

[Antartis]

Normally it is not so new photos.

These were taken 3 years ago. If I remember correctly. And wings are smaller wingspan, for save space.

The joke of the matter is the sign "no photos". :D

[topol-m]

Normally it is not so new photos.

These were taken 3 years ago. If I remember correctly. And wings are smaller wingspan, for save space.

The joke of the matter is the sign "no photos". :D

 

Flightglobal says they are newly released, not new in the sense of when they have been taken. Also the signs say "Japan Aerospace 2008". But I hadn't seen them so they were new to me :)

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2011/11/photos-new-pics-of-shinshin-th.html

[Antartis]

Mitsubishi Hvy Ind : MHI Begins Assembly of Full-scale Model for Advanced Technology Demonstrator Aircraft Project

03/28/2012 | 01:44am

Tokyo, March 28, 2012 - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) today began assembly of a full-scale structural-testing model of an Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD). The ATD, which MHI is building under the contract with the Japan Ministry of Defense, will be used to prove the airworthiness of advanced technologies, including stealth capabilities and high maneuverability, for future Japanese fighters. With the commencement of assembly, the ATD project has now moved into the production phase.

 

To mark the beginning of assembly work, the "first rivet" ceremony was held earlier today at the Tobishima Plant of MHI's Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works in Aichi Prefecture. Among those attendees were Yoshitaka Akiyama, Director General of the Technical Research & Development Institute, the Japan Ministry of Defense; Haruhiko Kataoka, Japan Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff; and Takashi Kobayashi, Representative Director, Executive Vice President and Head of MHI's Aerospace Systems.

 

During the ceremony, an equipment mounting bracket was riveted to the bulkhead separating the fuel tank from the forward equipment bay in the mid fuselage, which houses electronic equipments. It marks the first step in the assembly of the ATD aircraft. This riveting was conducted for the full-scale static structural test model to be used to obtain strength data of the aircraft's basic structural elements and to verify the design of the ATD.

 

The ATD prototype project was launched in Japanese fiscal year 2009 (April 2009-March 2010) in the situation of next-generation fighter development programs in neighboring countries. Through flight tests of advanced technologies relating to stealth and high maneuverability, the project aims at the empirical research of the advanced fighter technologies and air defense systems that are capable of coping with the stealth fighters that may soon be deployed around Japan.

 

With the assembly of the full-scale static structural test model as the first step, the ATD project is on track to produce a flight test model that is expected to make its first flight in 2014. The project is slated for completion by the end of March 2017.

 

MHI is committed to playing a major role in Japanese defense industry going forward and will make every effort to see the ATD project through to a successful completion.

 

http://www.4-traders.com/MITSUBISHI-HVY-IND-6491254/news/MITSUBISHI-HVY-IND-MHI-Begins-Assembly-of-Full-scale-Model-for-Advanced-Technology-Demonstrator-Ai-14242208/

[topol-m]

Thanks for posting this, I was wondering what has been going on with this project and I'm happy to see it's looking great and still scheduled for first flight in 2014.

[Antartis]

I'm happy to see it's looking great and still scheduled for first flight in 2014.

 

Yes, in 2 years :thumbup:

 

 

 

[Antartis]

Look here:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=29104&highlight=shin

 

:)

[topol-m]

ATD-X 3D model video:

 

 

Do you know what that lid at 2:04 might be for? Covers the air refueling probe maybe?

[Pyroflash]

ATD-X 3D model video:

 

 

Do you know what that lid at 2:04 might be for? Covers the air refueling probe maybe?

 

Probably, though it could be for the gun, which I haven't seen a flap for either assuming that this one is for the air refueling probe.