Japanese Stealth Fighter

Oh my God.. I was surprised. It looks so beautiful.

Looks aside. It has 3d thrust vectoring. (watch the video)

The design of the aircraft reflects those of several American fourth and fifth generation fighters, most notably the F-22

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I think US has helped the Japanese.

A mock-up has already undergone preliminary ground tests in France, the report said. Friday's decision by the ministry to push ahead with the multi billion-yen (multi million-dollar; multi million-euro) project means developers will start working toward flight tests, with production in about 10 years, it said. The reports also say that there was a possible involvement of US Lockheed Martin in the development of ATD-X.

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This suggests my argument too.

I think it's better than F-22 what do you guys think?

I don't think the US will give all their tech to another country...

And, it looks so similar to an f-22 xD

The video is down already....

And if that also gets cleaned, then search up "shin-shin"

But indeed a very beautiful fighter. Even if it is probably not as good or stealthy as F-22, which is rather portly. The 3 paddle TVC design is likely to give better results than the F-22's 2D, but still kind of limited. What the OVT has is still better.

I can't help but notice that it (and F-22) has almost no LERX. (As if LERX is not stealthy? I am sure the blended stuff on Fulcrums don't hurt its RCS.) And there is a .....fracture(?) between the wing and the fuselage.

F-2 was the first fighter to be equipped with AESA. It will be interesting to see how much they have progressed in the radar since that unreliable hunk of metal sitting in their overpriced Falcons.
And for those who can't read Chinese/Hanja/Kanji, they mentioned the government's decision in the chart which comes after testing and improvements.
Can't help but say, reminds me of another advanced Island jet.

guys what if ShinShin becomes operational... Will it out perform F-22???

A Japanese "Project Replica"

I thought that everyone had pretty much heard about the Shinshin by now. There was a fairly thorough write-up on the program in Aviation Week not that long ago (17 Dec 2007). Just to clarify for everyone:

• The ATD-X is a demonstrator, not an operational fighter. Aside from lacking the necessary systems integration for carrying a full compliment of sensors and weapons, its also too small to fulfill Japan's air defense mission.
  
• To help save costs, the ATD-X was intentionally scaled smaller than an operational air superiority fighter would need to be to perform its job successfully in the Far East. The airplane is about the size of Sweden's JAS-39 Gripen, with a projected wing span of 9 m, and a length of 14 m. Maximum take-off weight is quoted at around 9 metric tonnes.
  
• The basic shape of the ATD-X was tested at a French radar range in 2005, to confirm its radar cross section. To save budget, however, the demonstrator is expected to feature thrust-vectoring paddles. It's radar signature in the rear quarter will therefore not be representative of an operational aircraft.
  
• Among the technologies scheduled to be demonstrated on the ATD-X is an all-around, conformal radar system, providing 360-degree coverage. This is expected to be the first system of its kind to be demonstrated in a fighter-sized airframe.
  
• The ATD-X demonstrator is expected to be powered by two IHI XF5-a engines, with 50kN of thrust each in afterburner. This will be IHI's first attempt at developing an all-indigenous fighter engine.
  
• First flight is expected in 2011, with a total program cost of around 46.6 billion yen (around 414 million USD).

Taken in sum, the Shinshin appears to be aimed at demonstrating some basic technologies, and perhaps at giving Japan more leverage in future negotiations with the United States for license production of either the F-22 or F-35. The airplane is not aimed at "out-performing" the F-22, and is too small to perform the mission currently rendered by Japan's F-15J's. It could, however, provide Japan with either the know-how to develop a new fighter at a later date, or leverage to get a better deal than they have been offered so far for the F-35.

The UK took a similar approach during the 1990s, investing in a program known as Replica to demonstrate British mastery of stealth airframe concepts. The UK is currently the only partner in the F-35 program with full access to stealth manufacturing and aircraft repair techniques. It appears that Japan may aiming for a similar co-production arrangement.

Nope, news to me. You have to remember, not everyone here is out of college, work projects, or vacation elsewhere, for the good or the bad. And of course, not everyone reads Aviation Week.

So they are probably going to fit the plane with OVT style exhaust shall the project be expanded?

The news in the video was probably an act of bluffing, but mentioning the process it takes to become an operational fighter is big hinting. I wouldn't be surprised. The F-35 doesn't carry much to start with.

But really, what's with the wing?

The "fracture" that you are referring to between the wing and the fuselage represents the edge of the leading edge slats (control surfaces). For a better look at what this joint would likely look like on an operational aircraft (rather than on the model sent for test in France), you can look at some images of the F-22.

I am quite sure that the U.S. politics will be involved in the future production of this state of the art stealth fighter jet just like the the Lavi!!

I am quite sure that the U.S. politics will be involved in the future production of this state of the art stealth fighter jet just like the the Lavi!!

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We just have to wait and see. Since US refused to sell F-22 Japan may be reluctant to give up ShinShin program.

Set-Back Already

Less than six months after the program was announced, and Japan's stealth demonstrator has seen its 2008 budget slashed by over 80%:


Out of the 49.9-billion Yen requested for 2008, only 7-billion Yen (66-million USD) have been approved. As a result of these cuts, although design work on the technology demonstrator is expected to continue, no hardware for the flying demonstrator will be purchased throughout the 2008 year. First flight can be expected to be set back accordingly.