Japan unveils first stealth fighter

[maro.kyo]

Odds are the Japanese will buy additional F-35's short-term. While, joining one of the future US 6th Generation Fighter Programs long-term.....


"IMHO"

The question is will the US ever going to sell their 6th gen fighter in the near future? Judging by the qualities of 6th gen fighter defined by Air Force Magazine F-3 is not one of them and I should give some doubts about Tempest and FCAS being able to qualify within that very definition.

I would rather guess that the NGAD fighters would be Raptors of the 30s/40s. It would take some time for a exportable 6th gen fighter to appear in the market. Even if they do somehow get involved in the program, will they be able to obtain the same kind of involvement the UK did in the JSF program?

Like I've said F-3 is replacing F-2 that is defined "Support Fighter" by the JSDF and there's a heavy emphasis of it being used as maritime attack aircraft just like the F-2. Any other option apart from F-3 that cannot be equipped with ASM-3 or any other Japanese ASM is not its alternative.

[weasel1962]

Japan has unveiled timeline for F-X program; Britain to help develop its engines
http://alert5.com/2020/07/08/japan-has- ... s-engines/

At a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has unveiled the timeline for the development of the F-X fighter.

Media reports from Japan say the prototype will be ready in 2024 and the first limited production aircraft will roll out by 2030. The jet will start to replace the F-2 fighter in 2035.

It has also been determined that Britain’s role in the project would be to help develop the engines of the aircraft.

The aircraft main role will be air-to-air combat.

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Looks like XF-9 trouble if they need to ask the Brits for help.

[Corsair1963]

Just rehash of old story.....Japan is still looking for partners and developing a number of concepts. Honestly, nothing new at all.