The Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin (三菱 X-2 心神, formerly the ATD-X) is a Japanese experimental aircraft for testing advanced stealth fighter aircraft technologies. It was developed by the Japanese Ministry of Defense Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) for research purposes while the project's prime contractor is the Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It is commonly considered to be Japan's first domestically made stealth fighter. ATD-X is an abbreviation for "Advanced Technology Demonstrator – X". The aircraft is widely known in Japan as Shinshin (心神; meaning "mind" or "spirit.") although the name itself is an early code name within the Japan Self-Defense Forces and is not officially in use. Following the rebuffing of Japanese interest in the prospective procurement of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft, the Japanese Government resolved to develop the technologies towards a future combat aircraft. These technologies are not limited to only stealth-related features but to other advanced systems, including 3-D thrust vectoring, a fly-by-optics flight control system, and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Following preliminary work with flyable scale models, construction activity commenced at Mitsubishi's Komaki South Plant in 2009. The official unveiling of the resultant aircraft, X-2 Shinshin, was performed in January 2016; it made its maiden flight on 22 April 2016. The X-2 programme has led to the start-up of the Mitsubishi F-X sixth-generation fighter program, as well as Japan's involvement in the Global Combat Air Programme. It is intended that these programmes should ultimately yield a next-generation fighter aircraft that would be procured and operated by the Japan Air Self Defense Force.
Development
Background and early work At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Japan, seeking to replace its ageing fleet of fighter aircraft, made a series of overtures to the United States on the topic of purchasing several Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft. However, the U.S. Congress had banned the exporting of the aircraft in order to safeguard secrets of the aircraft's technology such as its extensive use of stealth; this rejection necessitated Japan to develop its own modern fighter, to be equipped with stealth features and other advanced systems. Accordingly, Japan began to explore domestic options for producing a new generation fighter aircraft. In 2005, a mock-up stealth aircraft was shipped to France to undergo radar cross section (RCS) testing. During 2006, a radio-controlled 1/5th scale model made its first flight to gain data on performance at high angles of attack and to test new sensory equipment and self-repairing flight control systems. Following these preliminary steps, the decision was taken in 2007 to proceed with the multi billion-yen project. At the time of this decision, production was forecast to start roughly ten years later, around 2017. In 2007, the ATD-X was openly expected to conduct its maiden flight in 2014. Four year later, the projected date for the maiden flight was still set to take place during either 2014 or 2015.
During 2009, construction activity on the programme was launched at Mitsubishi's Komaki South Plant under the supervision of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) of the Defense Ministry. Furthermore, technical assistance was reported to have been provided by the American defence company Lockheed Martin at some stage of the programme. In total, the programme involved 220 subcontractors while 90 percent of the AT-D’s components were domestically manufactured. Access to US testing facilities was reportedly denied. The total cost of the programme were projected to be 39.4 billion yen (roughly $331 million). In July 2014, the TRDI (Technical Research & Development Institute) released the first official photos of the ATD-X prototype, and stated that the aircraft was undergoing ground testing. The fighter prototype was expected to be fully developed by 2018. The ATD-X program was intended to lead onto the Mitsubishi F-3, which was intended to incorporate sixth-generation technology into a production fighter aircraft, and was at one point expected to be produced in 2027. Several issues were encountered during the development of the X-2, particularly with its engine control software. The ATD-X prototype was officially unveiled on 29 January 2016. At the time, the aircraft's first flight was expected to take place during the following month; it carried the X-2 official military designation at the unveiling.
Into flight
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