Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has begun flight testing an F-15J upgrade, the first piece of a new Japan Defence Agency (JDA) fighter fleet plan that is expected to include new-generation combat aircraft.
The plan, to be completed by the end of 2005, will probably determine the number of MHI-built F-15Js to be upgraded, the length of any extension to Mitsubishi F-2 production and when Japan will begin replacing McDonnell Douglas F-4EJs. The F-15J upgrade package will initially include a Raytheon radar and Lockheed Martin central computer, with a Mitsubishi Electric electronic warfare (EW) system to be added in 2006.
JDA saysF-4 retirement will begin between fiscal year 2008 and FY2013. The agency is preparing anF-4 replacement as part of its next mid-term defence programme, from April 2006.
"The air staff office is now considering a replacement aircraft... They are doing preliminary research," says the JDA.
The F-4 replacement schedule will drive the timetable for a next-generation fighter contest. Licensed production, possibly of the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F/A-22, is the most likely candidate, but budget constraints could push JDA to acquire a new F-2 variant.
JDA is planning to acquire 47 F-2s and 12 F-15J upgrades in the current five-year plan. It has already acquired 26 F-2s in the first three years of this plan, but MHI is waiting for an initial F-15J modification contract.
"We expect the purchase order from JDA for the production phase of configuration one from fiscal year 2004," says MHI.
MHI says the first F-15J with the Configuration One package - which includes the new radar and central computer - completed its maiden flight on 18 July. MHI has been contracted to develop Configuration Two, which adds the EW system.
Source: Flight International
