The Mitsubishi F-X (unofficially called F-3) was a sixth-generation stealth fighter that was in development for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). It was to be Japan's first domestically developed stealth fighter jet and to replace the Mitsubishi F-2 by the mid-2030s. Its development also aimed to bolster the nation's defense industry and potentially enter the international arms market amid Japan's changing defense posture. In October 2020, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was selected as the lead developer. On 9 December 2022 the governments of Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy jointly announced that they would develop and deploy a common fighter jet under a project called the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), merging development of the latter two nations' BAE Systems Tempest and the F-X.
Development
Origins
The F-X program began when the United States banned exports of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor as part of the 1997 Obey amendment in order to safeguard its technology. With Japan no longer able to purchase the F-22, a domestically developed fighter was chosen instead to replace Japan's aging fleet of fighter jets. Between December 2009 and August 2010, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) conducted a study of developing a future fighter jet to replace the F-2. The research conducted called for a new fighter jet that would be a generation ahead of contemporary fifth-generation fighters. The concept fighter was named the i3 Fighter (Informed, Intelligent, Instantaneous). Some technology and capabilities the concept fighter was to possess include advanced radar systems to counter stealth technology of other fighters, receiving targeting information from other platforms (drones, fighters and/or airborne early warning and control aircraft), use of fly-by-optics (much like the Kawasaki P-1) to process information faster, stealth technology, gallium nitride semiconductors to improve radar performance, and a new, more powerful and compact engine.
Mitsubishi X-2 demonstrator
Much of the development of the F-X program correlated with the development of the Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin. The development of the X-2 demonstrator allowed Japan to obtain new information and develop new technology related to their next generation fighter jet. The X-2 made its maiden flight on 22 April 2016. The X-2's testing concluded in March 2018.
Continued development and procurement strategy
Aircraft components Concurrent to the X-2's development and testing, Japan conducted a similar program of research focused on the F-X fighter. This research and testing continued while Japan sought international collaborators to join the program.
In mid-September 2019, flight tests were conducted on integrated sensors to be used for the F-X. The sensors were tested on board an F-2 fighter and the results were said to be good.
F-X program and international collaboration In March 2017, Japan and the U.K. signed an agreement to explore the possibility on co-developing a future fighter jet. By March 2018, a Japanese MoD representative had stated that the Japanese government was deciding whether to develop the F-X as a clean-sheet design, either domestically or through joint-development, or to develop an existing fighter design. That year, the Japanese government sent out proposals to the U.S. and U.K., seeking proposals for an upgrade of their existing designs. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman all responded to the proposal. Boeing reportedly offered an upgraded fighter based on their F-15, while BAE systems offered a similar proposal based on the Eurofighter Typhoon. Lockheed Martin proposed a F-22/35 hybrid fighter while also offering Japan the majority of the work in developing and producing the aircraft. Northrop Grumman expressed interest in the project; with unconfirmed speculation that they might offer a modernised version of their YF-23. At the same time, Japan and U.K. also further explored the possibility on merging the F-X project with the Tempest project to some extent. By October 2018, the MoD had begun to rule out the possibility of developing a fighter based on existing designs. Boeing's F-15 and BAE Systems' Eurofighter Typhoon reportedly failed to meet the ministry's requirements. Lockheed Martin's hybridised stealth fighter was also met with doubt due to its expensive price, as well as uncertainties that the U.S. would allow the sale given the export ban on the F-22. One report indicated that the hybrid fighter could cost as high as $177 million per aircraft. In early February 2019, the MoD announced that a 'Japan-led' Future Fighter program would be initiated, with collaboration with foreign defense contractors still being an option. The announcement further enforced that plans to develop or locally produce an existing foreign design had been ruled out. The program would occur between 2019 and 2023, in line with the MoD's Mid-Term Defense Program and would take 15 years to complete; entering service around the time the F-2 would begin to retire. The MoD prioritised five key aspects for the program's development:
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