Japan's F-2 VS F-16

[Pilotasso]

The F-2 looks like an F-16 that has been redesigned to carry a heavier load over a greater distance. Am I correct in assuming that Mitsubishi is building it?

 

BTW...every country should keep a bit of an eye on other countries, its called common sense. I disagree however with pidgeonholing people based on their national origin vs. opinions and vice-versa. Half my family is Japanese, Hawg, I don't seem to see any animosity toward America from them...heh...but, I know that isn't what you were trying to say. ;)

 

Oh...just to add another tidbit to the "Japan101" thing...Japanese civilians are not allowed to possess or carry firearms, to include civilian authorities (meaning even Japanese police ALSO are not allowed to carry guns).

 

Mitsubishi builds MOST of the plane. Lockeed martin still suplies the rear fuselage, the engine is also US (duh), and part of the avionics (AFAIK, the 2 lateral MFD's). The rest is entirely japanese, including ECM, the large central MFD (making it 1 of the best cockpits anywhere), and theres also many indigenous weapons for it. It can carry 4 Japanese made antiship missiles, plus a plethora of also indigenous AA missiles. The japanese have in development a BVR missile, though I dont know wich and how many of the 13 hardpoints (VS 9 of the F-16) can carry these AMRAAM class missiles.

 

I dont know why would the japanese want any long range fighter like the F-15T when they coul easely upgrade their F-15J's with AESA radars and get basicaly all new capabilities new eagles would have, plus all their potential oponents are just around the corner and Japan is still relegated to a home defense force.

 

WOW Iguana, you have oriental genes? Japan is a culture that always fascinated me. they are disciplined and hard working but sure they have the tradititon of knowing those litle pleasures that makes life pleasant...like eating over naked women!

[Guest IguanaKing]

Thanks for the info Pilotasso. Heh...I wonder if that center MFD is a Trinitron, if it is, it must be one front-heavy piece of equipment. ;) They need a long-range fighter though, Japan is actually quite large, latitude-wise, from the tropical region of places like Naha, to the sub-arctic region of places like Sapporo. No, I am not genetically Japanese, but half my family is, through marriage. My sister-in-law is a resident alien of the US, but the rest of her side of the family lives in Japan, most of them in Okinawa. So...yes...I get to learn a great deal about the culture, the country, and its people. :cool: