JASDF may be in the market for more F-35s

[SpudmanWP]

Once UAI comes online, a lot of weapons will be integrated on an as-needed basis and be completely separate from Block upgrades.

[doge]

JASDF F-35A flying in the blizzard. ( Cool and cold )

[spazsinbad]

U.S., Japanese commanders observe F-35B operations aboard USS Wasp
05 Feb 2019 MC2 Sarah Myers, Amphibious Squadron 11

"EAST CHINA SEA - The commanders of U.S. 7th Fleet and the Japan's Self-Defense Fleet visited the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Feb. 5, to observe the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) operations at sea. U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Vice Adm. Kazuki Yamashita were joined by other senior JMSDF officers to showcase Wasp ARG’s amphibious capabilities, including operations by 31st MEU F-35B Lightning II aircraft....

...While aboard Sawyer and Yamashita met with Wasp ARG leaders, received briefs about amphibious capabilities and observed flight operations by 31st MEU F-35B Lightning II aircraft...."

Photo: "PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 2, 2019) An F-35B Lightning II aircraft attached to the F-35B detachment of the "Flying Tigers" of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (Reinforced) prepares to land behind another F-35B Lighting II aircraft on the flight deck on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during flight operations. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sarah Myers)" https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7827/469 ... 8c89_b.jpg (0.2Mb)

Source: https://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/110658

[Gamera]

Tuesday, 5 March 2019:
F-35A.
99-8712.
Rinji F-35A Hikoutai, JASDF, based at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=2019 ... tohoku-l02
https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=2019 ... 2.view-000

15:35, landed, at Misawa AB.
Departed from Komaki AB, Aichi Prefecture.

12th of 12 F-35A for current fiscal year.
JASDF will soon rename "Rinji F-35A Hikoutai" [Temporary F-35A Squadron] to "302nd Hikoutai" [302nd Squadron].

Previous schedule, fiscal year 2019, six F-35A would allocate Misawa AB.
Two of the six assembled ahead schedule.

2018 December, first of the two allocated Misawa AB.
#712 is second of the two.

Current schedule, by fiscal year 2020, total 22 F-35A would allocate Misawa AB, as two squadrons.

[mixelflick]

Amazing to see the impact Japanese F-35's will have in the region.

Before its arrival, China's air force could have been considered vastly superior, especially in numbers. It's J-10's, J-11's and now SU-35's would be more than a match for Japanese F-15's and F-2's. But with the F-35, China has to deal with an aircraft that can quite handily dispatch with their various Flanker derivatives and J-10's.

Even the J-20 is at risk, given the F-35's more mature state and I dare say much better WVR/BVR capabilities. Add in South Korea''s F-35's, Singapore's, Australia's etc and you begin to appreciate how this one little airframe is indeed worthy of the name, "game changer"...

[vilters]

The rather large fuel tank of the F-35 gives it an outstanding range advantage around that region.

Its range and superior sensors and fusion systems (and room for expansion and improvement) will make this a great Japanese asset for many years to come.

(and this comes from a very dedicated F-16 fan)

Why Japan did not push for the F-16 XL version (with even more fuel) will stay an open question forever.

[ricnunes]

Why Japan did not push for the F-16 XL version (with even more fuel) will stay an open question forever.

I would say that the Japanese already done something similar along those lines with the Mitsubishi F-2 which is basically a bigger F-16 with more internal fuel (and certainly more range).

[mixelflick]

The rather large fuel tank of the F-35 gives it an outstanding range advantage around that region.

Its range and superior sensors and fusion systems (and room for expansion and improvement) will make this a great Japanese asset for many years to come.

(and this comes from a very dedicated F-16 fan)

Why Japan did not push for the F-16 XL version (with even more fuel) will stay an open question forever.

On the internal fuel, I could only find "increased by 82%". So.... circa 14,000lbs? (Math isn't a strong point). That would be around what an F-15C carries, but with a single engine. Beautiful aircraft, and futuristic looking - even today IMO.

[spazsinbad]

Aircraft Carrier Ibuki (Kûbo Ibuki) theatrical trailer - Setsurô Wakamatsu-directed movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUF0HwltZdI

[ricnunes]

Aircraft Carrier Ibuki (Kûbo Ibuki) theatrical trailer - Setsurô Wakamatsu-directed movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUF0HwltZdI

Disclaimer:

"Any similarity to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. "

[Gamera]

Tuesday, 26 March 2019:
F-35A x 12.
302nd Hikoutai, JASDF, based at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.

At Hyakuri AB, Ibaraki Prefecture, 302nd Hikoutai discontinued F-4.

At Misawa AB, Rinji F-35A Hikoutai [temporary F-35A squadron] became 302nd Hikoutai.
80 members.
Commander was Lieutenant Colonel Nakano Yoshihito (41).
12 F-35A would increase to 20.

MOD announced F-2 squadrons will move from Misawa AB to Hyakuri AB, before or by 2020 March.
During fiscal year 2020, 301st Hikoutai would move from Hyakuri AB to Misawa AB, and become new F-35 squadron.

Misawa AB would have two squadrons and 40 F-35.

E-2D also arrived in Japan, and after check, will allocate Misawa AB soon.
E-2D will train at Misawa AB, and replace E-2C at Naha AB, Okinawa Prefecture.

Future, JASDF E-2D and JMSDF Maya Class AEGIS destroyer will equip CEC system that shares enemy cruise missile and fighter detect data.

https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2019032601322&g=soc

[spazsinbad]

Japan reassures US on F-35 purchase despite crash [someone is beating up a storm over accident conjecture here]
21 Apr 2019 RIEKO MIKI

"WASHINGTON -- The recent crash of an F-35A stealth fighter jet will not stop Tokyo's plans to buy more of the aircraft, which is crucial to strengthening defense capabilities and maintaining a strong relationship with its ally, the U.S., Japan's defense minister said after meeting his American counterpart.

"At this point, we have no specific information that would lead to a change in procurement plans," Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya told reporters after meeting Friday with acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan at the Pentagon. Iwaya said he and Shanahan discussed Japan's plans for deploying American defense equipment, including F-35 purchases....

...Japan has received 13 F-35As so far, of which four were built in the U.S. and the rest assembled in Japan from American components. The government plans to procure six more this fiscal year. Going forward, Tokyo will stick to importing finished jets, as it is more cost-effective.

Though Japan's Self-Defense Forces have yet to put F-35s into active service, Tokyo hopes that adding U.S.-made planes to the fleet will help it serve as a greater deterrent, especially given the jet's capability to be equipped with advanced interceptor missiles that could potentially destroy ballistic missiles in midair.

But the April 9 crash during a training mission could derail these plans. Little is known about the crash as both the U.S. and Japan scour the Pacific off the northeast coast of Japan to look for wreckage of the jet. The pilot, who is still missing, had called for the mission to end before his plane went down. Should the incident turn out to have been caused by a defect in the plane, Tokyo could face calls to stop buying them....

...The U.S. has not disclosed details of the F-35's state-of-the-art technology to other countries, and there are worries that China or Russia could get their hands on the wreckage and unlock some of its secrets, including the jet's capability to shoot down ballistic missiles. This is among the reasons why Washington is sending a deep-sea search vessel to the site of the incident to help find the wreckage.

If the cause of the crash turns out to involve sensitive information about the plane, the U.S. could be reluctant to share it with even its close ally Japan. [somebody is drawing a LONG BOW HERE - evidence would be nice - aircraft accident]

The medium-term defense program approved by the Japanese government in late 2018 calls for a record 27 trillion yen ($205 billion) in spending over the next five years, in an effort to bolster Japan's defenses as well as revitalize its defense industry. The F-35 is central to these plans, and a disruption to procurement would throw a wrench in the works." <sigh>

Source: https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japan- ... ite-crash2

[Corsair1963]

Honestly, I doubt Japan will stop at just buying 147 F-35's. My guess is that number could go past 200. When all is said and done....

[zerion]

Japan Mulls Fighter Consolidation As LM Offers F-35 Code

http://aviationweek.com/awindefense/jap ... -f-35-code

[spazsinbad]

Japan Mulls Fighter Consolidation As LM Offers F-35 Code
http://aviationweek.com/awindefense/jap ... -f-35-code

NO SUBSCRIPT SO ONLY THIS available at moment....

Japan Mulls Fighter Consolidation As LM Offers F-35 Code
22 Apr 2019 Bradley Perrett

"BEIJING—Japanese industry is discussing the creation of a joint company for fighter development while the U.S. is reportedly offering to share source code from the F-35 for Tokyo’s next combat [aircraft project?]…" [YEAH RIGHT - as IF]

Source: https://aviationweek.com/awindefense/ja ... -f-35-code