Powered by MOMENTUM MEDIA
australian aviation logo

Japan to be offered F-22/F-35 hybrid – report

written by australianaviation.com.au | April 23, 2018

Lockheed Martin is reportedly in discussions with Japan about developing a new fighter which would combine capabilities of the F-22 and the F-35.

Lockheed Martin is reportedly in discussions with Japan about developing a new fighter which will integrate the kinematic capabilities of the F-22 Raptor with the advanced sensor and communications suites from the F-35 Lightning II.
Reuters has reported the company has discussed the concept with Japan Self Defence Force officials, and, subject to approval by the US Government, is planning to make a formal proposal in response to a Japanese RFI.
“We look forward to exploring options for Japan’s F-2 replacement fighter in cooperation with both the Japanese and U.S. governments,” a Lockheed Martin spokeswoman told Reuters.
Japan has ordered 42 F-35As. (Lockheed Martin)

“Our leadership and experience in 5th generation aircraft can be leveraged to cost-effectively provide capabilities to meet Japan’s future security needs.”
Japan has ordered 42 F-35As to replace its F-4EJ Phantoms, and the majority of its F-35s will be built at a final assembly line (FAL) in Japan. But it also has a requirement for a higher performance and longer-ranging fighter to replace the Boeing F-15J and Mitsubishi F-2 next decade to counter a rapidly improving and emboldened Chinese PLAAF.
Development of the Mitsubishi X-2 is reported to have stalled. (Japan MoD via Wikipedia)

Efforts to develop an indigenous Japanese fifth-generation fighter under the nascent F-3 program resulted in the Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin prototype being flown in 2016, but this project is believed to have stalled due to the high cost of going it alone.
The indigenous effort was initiated after the US refused to sell the F-22 to close allies including Japan. A law passed by Congress in 1997 prevents the export of F-22 technology from the US.
F-22 production ceased in 2011 with only 187 of an original USAF requirement of 750 aircraft being built, and most of the tooling was subsequently destroyed.

VIDEO – CNN reports on the first flight of the Mitsubishi X-2, published on YouTube.

You need to be a member to post comments. Become a member today!

Comments (26)

  • Paul

    says:

    Seems strange? They are already getting the F-35!

  • PAUL

    says:

    They need F22 spec performance & range & dare I say it so will the RAAF eventually. Anyone remember the F/B22 concept for the Raptor? B21 will be a truly capable platform but like the F22 only US will have them let alone afford them. Next Gen is underway..

  • Ben

    says:

    No doubt it will have the worst features of both.

  • TwinTiger

    says:

    I can’t speak to the Japanese requirement, although the article suggests their F15s and F2’s are getting a bit long in the tooth. Unless there are further countries prepared to wait for this hybrid jet (‘Super Raptor’ …?) to share costs or extend production lines, AND they also fulfill the military technology transfer criteria for the US, it would seem a very expensive exercise … That is unless the US dropped their quota for F35As and went along for the ride as well – which would get a lot of F-35 customers offside as a result.
    Indications from the USN suggest that the next generation fighter after the Lightning II is more likely to be pilotless.

  • Alan

    says:

    Thats something that the US should be doing. Clearly F35 concept back in 1997 didnt anticipate Chinese economy and subsequently its military rising so fast. With all of its hi tech sensors and software its pretty useless when it comes to projecting power far away from home. And remember it was supposed to be $30m plane not 120m a piece. Australia should jump on board too, large island nation needs to have proper airforce. more customers Lockheed gets cheaper it will be and with Japanese been primary customers price wouldn’t go over budget like it does for Americans every time. Defense contractors are ripping off US government knowing that uncle Sam will pay anyway. Thats not how Japs do business and will nit tolerate major cost overruns.

  • Stuart Brown

    says:

    I would be very surprised, the F22, has poor electronics, compared to the F35, retrofitting electronics, manufacturing a poorly documented aircraft, would involve so much work, almost harder than starting from scratch. New weapons would have to be fitted too, new missiles, better to develop a derivative of the F35, where’s the production information, the F22 was expensive, almost individually built, hence the smaller numbers.

  • Paul

    says:

    Hearing all these comments that means we should lease 100 advanced supers, jump aboard this project and Bobs your uncle!!

  • Adam Hampshire

    says:

    Its an interesting idea; however, the concept of a hybrid between what is considered one of if not the best fighter in the world combined with the most problematic, lest manouverable, not as capable as promised and hugely expensive fighter would be like. I for one if it were my money or investment would not even consider it. The risk is far to high and the fact that all the tooling for the F22 have been for the most part destroyed. The cost for a single country even as wealthy as Japan would be excessively high. We think the the F35 is expensive. I couldnt even to fathom how much this new fighter would cost. Sorry Lockheed but I think your being way to ambitious on this one.

  • PAUL

    says:

    Good comments – One has to remember the F35 is a replacement for F16/F18 size aircraft, what are F15 users worldwide going to replace that platform with? The Typhoon & Rafale are on par, UK now has stealth with the F35, but France & Germany don’t & I think they are looking at working together for a next generation aircraft., so is India & Russia, There’s going to be a big market out there for someone & Lockheed Martin has all the F22/F35 tech in house. US 6th aircraft will be both manned & unmanned. Maybe the ADF will go with this future option.
    https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-unveils-updated-fa-xx-sixth-gen-fighter-concept-384291/

  • Beepa

    says:

    Anyone saying the F35 is the least manoeuvrable and most problematic jet available has absolutely no idea what they are talking about. Too much TV and Facebook can do that, reality check required.

  • Paul

    says:

    Beepa, no one has said this. Blk3F is in so we will see how it goes. Pulling 9+ will be pretty exciting. On the other hand and thinking about this project, it will never work. It’s just all talk I reckon. I will look forward to following it’s program path.

  • Rocket

    says:

    @ PAUL
    Yes, remember the FB-22… that would’ve been a REAL F-111/F-15 replacement.
    The F-35 doesn’t have the range or payload nor does it have all round stealth which means when it goes in it better get everything on the first run, assuming the enemy hasn’t spotted the massive tanker following it.
    Let Japan and the US share the costs and then we’ll buy 30 of them afterward.

  • Daniel

    says:

    The F 35 will improve but they could and should build a version that losses the stealth paint and internal bomb bay adds the thrust vectoring from the F 22. With a little bit more engine power that would be more than a match for an f 16.

  • Tomcat Terry

    says:

    Japanese Self Defence Force (and RAAF /RAN) should keep their purse strings tight on this one..
    Reacting to the Chinese and Russians hastily in a race to build the better superiority fighter is foolhardy.
    Wait for 6th gen and in 20yrs when it’s ready (or a little earlier if fast tracked) will leave the Russians and Chinese scurrying to try catch up. Their 6th gen programs will be far behind the US.
    In the meantime, the Japanese and Australian military, like home in the US, should invest strongly in large stocks of long range stand off surface to air and surface to surface missiles (hypersonic versions once they get production rolling on them).
    Hypersonic air to air will make even legacy aircraft very dangerous opponents. It will all come down to who has the better integrated sensor network.

  • Reece

    says:

    Not sure Japanese numbers alone would justify the expense but sure others would be interested not just Australia but Israel, Sth Korea. Even USAF probably interested given the Chinese and Russian planes, though neither of them proven yet and rather sceptical about the Chinese one. It would probably be lacking some of the features of the F22 to keep cost down and avoid legal issues with current laws. Though suspect this is just wishful thinking.

  • Harry

    says:

    Adam, f-22 tooling has NOT been destroyed; its all been kept under a law passed by congress. The us could restart production if they really wanted.
    Anyway the article doesn’t say they will build f-22s w/ f-35 avionics/electronics, it says f-22-like aircraft. You know, fast, long range, big payload twin-engine super cruise aircraft w/ f35s NCW suite of sensors etc. Basically a twin engine version of the f-35 that’s bigger for longer range, super cruise and mac2+ speed w/ greater payload and twin engines. Exactly what most western airforces need as the high in the hi-Lo airforce mix, especially maritime nations like Australia and japan

  • Breeder

    says:

    F 35 is a multi role single engined bomber fighter reconnasance jet that is inadequate in all its specific roles. It is a peice of useless expensive junk. Australia needs a fast interceptor to protect its coastlines not the 90 f 35 bombers on order. Japan is on the right track with its X 2.

  • Shane

    says:

    Why wouldn’t the American’s want the Hybrid. Some of the F22’s are getting a bit long in the tooth and it would be highly unlikely that the fleet would still be in service when the 6th Gen arrived.
    That’s a serious gap as it seems to take nearly 20 years to develop a new fighter. The Hybrid could replace all of the F15’s…and also be a theatre bomber aka F111. The RAAF should get both. Our region is militarising very fast and we are going to have to accept higher military spending.
    The 6th Gen is a long way off, will probably be a pure drone and we can’t afford to wait that long.

  • Paul

    says:

    Breeder, the F-35 is coming along very very nicely. Do some research mate, it does help!

  • Chris

    says:

    This makes sense.
    F-22 is becoming an ever increasing headache for the USAF. It’s extremely expensive to maintain (especially the radar absorbing coatings that need constant replacing), it has 1980’s computing that’s now so far behind from both a hardware and software standpoint they’re struggling to find the skillsets for it let alone the performance limitations (F-22 can’t talk to anything else other than other F-22’s, for example – useless in the networked battle space), many of the manufacturing documentation is simply missing so manufacturing certain components for replacement is literally impossible, and as a result of the aforementioned, the availability rate is decreasing by the day. Air combat has evolved from who can turn the tightest to who can see who from the farthest distance away without getting seen themselves and getting the first and last shot off. So, enough about the failings of the Raptor.
    Enter stage left this new proposed aircraft which will enable the USAF to retire the F-22, of which they never bought in sufficient numbers anyway, and replace it with one that will do what the F-22 does best, and then some, for a lot less.
    Getting Japan, hopefully amongst others like Australia and the UK, in on the act is a smart move for all involved.
    From our standpoint, I’d like to see us retire the 24 Super Hornets as originally intended and replace them with a minimum of 24 of this new aircraft. That would give us 72 F-35’s, 24 F-XX’s and 12 EA-18G Growlers. Might even be worth looking at converting the 12 Rhino’s already loomed up for Growler into EA-18G’s and flick the remaining 12 Rhinos over to the USN, Canada, New Zealand or whoever wants them.
    That would give us 120 fast jets. Not out of the question for an air force that has traditionally garnished around 100 at full strength. The additional 20 airframes would be the addition of the electronic warfare capability in the Growlers, so we in effect still have around 100 front line fighters plus the Growlers.
    Just my opinion and Christmas list.

  • Shane

    says:

    We have usually been about a 100 combat plane airforce since roughly the end of the Korean War, however, that’s when we were a sleepy backwater as far as the old Cold War was concerned. Maybe now we should be aiming for a 150-200 combat plane airforce? Keep the Rhinos…buy 40 F-XX.’s…

  • Breeder

    says:

    Paul. “Breeder, the F-35 is coming along very very nicely. Do some research mate, it does help!” Done plenty ‘mate’ You obviously havent. The f 35 is junk.

  • Murray Howlett

    says:

    Question. What is the Japanese X-2 like?

  • AlanH

    says:

    All this talk about the lack of maneuverability of the F-35, its range and its supposed other inadequacies or capabilities misses the whole point of its design features. It was never intended to be an air superiority fighter in the F-15, F-16, MiG-29 or Su-30 sense. It will eliminate its opposition before getting close enough to engage in a dogfight scenario without them even knowing it. If you listen to those involved in its development and who are currently flying it, it will transform the usual notions of fighter tactics and introduce a whole new era of aerial engagement hitherto never seen before. Exercises have already revealed that one F-35 can dispose of mutliple F-15s in aerial combat without the F-15 pilots even being aware of it. It is meant to be a “network” fighter that works in tandem with Growlers, Wedgetails, and even Poseidons and the like. Just like the F-111 and its knockers, it will prove to be the jewel in the crown of the RAAF when fully operational. Just remember how the DH Mosquito changed RAF thinking in WWII. The F-35 will do the same in the 21st Century.

  • TwinTiger

    says:

    Or … perhaps LM can start to develop the next developed version of the F-35 instead?
    Check out some of the concept ideas on the possible next iteration of the F35:
    http://www.moddb.com/games/vector-thrust/news/report-045-f-35
    I like the F-35E – it looks to combine the F35 with the F22 wing format – could it be the illusive air-superiority fighter? …enjoy!

  • Chris

    says:

    Breeder
    Obviously you’ve done no research, the F/A-18’s will act as our interceptor jets, just like how the F-16’s act as America’s interceptor, the F35 will act as our warplane, NOT coastal and border defence. The F35 is a great plane. With technology like its, it is one of a kind, it can destroy enemies before they even know its there with low radar visibility. No need for dogfights AT ALL

Comments are closed.

You don't have credit card details available. You will be redirected to update payment method page. Click OK to continue.