Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin

{{Infobox aircraft

|name= X-2 Shinshin

|image= File:X-2_First_Flight.jpg

|caption= X-2 during its maiden flight

|type= Stealth experimental technology demonstrator

|national_origin= Japan

|manufacturer= Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

|status= Completed

|first_flight= 22 April 2016[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-22/japan-s-stealth-jet-makes-first-flight-as-abe-boosts-defense Japan's Stealth Jet Makes First Flight as Abe Boosts Defense]

|introduction= 2016

|primary_user= Japan Air Self-Defense Force

|more_users=

|produced=2009–2016

|number_built= 1 prototype

|unit cost= ¥40.0 billion

|developed_into= Global Combat Air Programme

|variants=

}}

The Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin ({{lang|ja|三菱 X-2 心神}}, formerly the ATD-X) is a Japanese experimental aircraft for testing advanced stealth fighter aircraft technologies. It is being developed by the Japanese Ministry of Defense Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) for research purposes. The main contractor of the project is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Many consider this aircraft 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 {{nihongo|Shinshin|心神||meaning "mind" or "spirit."}}[http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXKZO96977100V00C16A2X11000/?dg=1 "国産ステルス機2月離陸　独創究めた「消える機体」"] (in Japanese). The Nikkei. 8 February 2016[http://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/189239 "日本心神横山大観"] (in Japanese). Cultural Heritage Online, National Institute of Informatics (NII). Retrieved 22 November 2017.{{Cite news|last=Takahashi|first=Kosuke|date=April 20, 2014|title=平成のゼロ戦､「心神」が年内初飛行へ|language=ja|trans-title=The first flight of the "Shinshin", a Zero fighter of the Heisei era, by the end of this year|work=Toyo Keizai|url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/35849}} although the name itself is an early code name within the Japan Self-Defense Forces and is not officially in use.[https://www.mod.go.jp/atla/en/gifu.html Gifu Test Center, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA)][http://www.mhi.co.jp/news/story/1203285190.html Press Release, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries][http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/lockheed-mitsubishis-f2-fighter-partnership-03188/ Lockheed & Mitsubishi’s F-2 Fighter may be replaced with ATD-X] The aircraft's first flight was on 22 April 2016.

The success of this development test prototype has led to the start-up of the Mitsubishi F-X sixth-generation fighter program.

Development

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Japan, seeking to replace its ageing fleet of fighter aircraft, began making overtures to the United States on the topic of purchasing several Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighters.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceaviation.com/2008/01/mitsubishi-atd-x-shinshin-a-japanese-stealth-fighter.html|title=Mitsubishi ATD-X ShinShin a Japanese Stealth Fighter|access-date=29 January 2008|date=11 January 2008|work=Defence Aviation|archive-date=14 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814125211/http://www.defenceaviation.com/2008/01/mitsubishi-atd-x-shinshin-a-japanese-stealth-fighter.html|url-status=dead}} 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.

A radio-controlled 1/5 scale model made its first flight in 2006 to gain data on performance at high angles of attack and to test new sensory equipment and self-repairing flight control systems.{{cite web|url=http://www.mhi.co.jp/technology/review/pdf/454/454058.pdf#page=2|title=Research of Flight Control System for High Maneuver Aircraft|access-date=17 June 2009|author=Miyakawa|work=三菱重工技報|display-authors=etal}}

Following these preliminary steps, the decision was taken in 2007 to push ahead with the multi billion-yen project. At the time of this decision, production was forecast to start roughly 10 years later, around 2017. In 2007, the ATD-X was expected to conduct its maiden flight in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_japan_stealth_071207/|title=Japan to build stealth fighter jets by 2014|date=7 December 2007|access-date=29 December 2008|work=Air Force Times}} In 2011, the maiden flight was projected to take place in 2014 or 2015.{{cite web|url=http://defensetech.org/2011/11/30/photos-atd-x-japans-stealth-jet/|title=Photos of ATD-X Japan's Stealth Jet|work=defensetech.org}}

File:ATD-X model 2.JPG

The 40 billion yen construction project in the Mitsubishi's Komaki South Plant began in 2009 under the supervision of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) of the Defense Ministry.{{cite web|url=http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/japan-unveils-1st-domestic-made-stealth-plane|title=Japan unveils 1st domestic-made stealth plane|date=29 January 2016|publisher=Japan Today|access-date=29 January 2016}}{{cite web|title= 三菱重工、国産ステルス戦闘機「X-2」の飛行試験機を初公開 |language=ja|publisher=marketnewsline|date=28 January 2016|url=http://www.marketnewsline.com/news/201601281617000000.html|access-date=29 January 2016}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/trdi/news/index.html|title=先進技術実証機の現況 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716024544/http://www.mod.go.jp/trdi/news/index.html|archive-date=16 July 2014|access-date=12 July 2014|author=Technical Research and Development Institute|date=12 July 2014|website=mod.go.jp}} The ATD-X program will then lead to the Mitsubishi F-3, which should carry sixth-generation technology, and is expected to be produced in 2027.{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_10_22_2012_p24-507747.xml|title=Japan Aims To Launch F-3 Development In 2016-17|date=22 October 2012|access-date=30 October 2012|author=Bradley Perrett|work=AW&ST|publisher=The McGraw-Hill Companies|archive-date=4 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204174548/http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=%2Farticle-xml%2FAW_10_22_2012_p24-507747.xml|url-status=dead}}

The ATD-X prototype was officially unveiled on 29 January 2016. The aircraft's first flight was expected the following month;{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/atd-x-to-spur-japans-advanced-fighter-research-421374/|title=ATD-X to spur Japan's advanced fighter research|last=Waldron|first=Greg|date=29 January 2016|work=Flightglobal|access-date=29 January 2016}}[https://thediplomat.com/2016/01/japan-unveils-new-5th-generation-stealth-fighter-jet/ Japan Unveils New 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Jet]. Accessed 30 January 2016. it carried the X-2 official military designation at the unveiling.{{cite web|url=https://asiatimes.com/2016/01/japan-unveils-the-x-2-countrys-first-stealth-fighter-jet/|title=Japan unveils the X-2, country's first stealth fighter jet|date=28 January 2016|work=Asia Times|access-date=30 January 2016}}

The X-2 made its maiden flight on 22 April 2016 taking off from Nagoya Airfield and landing at the JASDF's Gifu Air Field after a 26-minute flight.{{cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/04/22/national/japan-becomes-fourth-nation-test-fly-homegrown-stealth-jet/#.Vx2jXU9f2Un|title=Japan becomes fourth nation to test-fly homegrown stealth jet|last=Mei|first=Ayako|date=22 April 2016|publisher=The Japan Times}} The unusually prolonged period between structural completion and first flight has not been fully explained. The Jiji News Agency reported that the X-2 has a take-off weight of {{cvt|28700|lb|kg|order=flip}}; Japanese media reported its weight as {{convert|9|t|kg lb|spell=in}}, heavy for a demonstrator of these dimensions {{convert|9.1|m|ft}} span and {{convert|14.2|m|ft}} long.{{cite news |url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/mhi-x-2-fighter-technology-demonstrator-makes-first-flight? |title=MHI X-2 Fighter-Technology Demonstrator Makes First Flight |publisher=Aviation Week|date=28 April 2016}}

In late-November 2017, ATLA announced that the X-2's testing will be concluded in March 2018. Of the time of the reporting the X-2 has completed 34 sorties out of the original 50 planned flights.{{Cite news|last=Waldron|first=Greg|date=29 November 2017|title=Tokyo to conclude X-2 programme in March 2018|work=Flight Global|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/tokyo-to-conclude-x-2-programme-in-march-2018/126311.article|access-date=9 May 2020}}

By July 2018, Japan had gleaned sufficient information from flight tests for a determination and decided that it would need to bring on board international partners to complete this project. Several companies have responded. Lockheed Martin reportedly offered an updated version of the F-22 Raptor. British based BAE Systems also entered talks about which little is yet reported (see Global Combat Air Programme). Third to enter the competition was Northrop Grumman and there was speculation that it would offer a modernized version of the YF-23 to Japan.Mizokami, Kyle [https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a22093705/northrop-grumman-japans-fighter-jet/ "Now Northrop Grumman Wants to Build Japan's New Fighter Jet"] Popular Mechanics, 10 July 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.

= Significance =

The X-2's development and maiden flight allowed Japan to become the fourth nation in the world to develop and test-fly their own stealth jet (after the United States, Russia and China), revitalize Japan's defense and aerospace industry, allowing it to stay competitive with regional powers China and South Korea that are also developing their own stealth fighter. Prior to the X-2 and the 2014 easing of arms export restrictions, Japan's defense industry stagnated because the arms export ban prevented Japan from exporting weapons or participating in any joint development with another country, with the exception being the United States. This in turn slows the growth of Japan's defense industry and similarly affects the aerospace industry, as the lack of military aircraft development means that procurement of certain aircraft are sought elsewhere from foreign defense contractors. The X-2 is thus seen as having potential to reinvigorate Japan's aerospace and defense industry. According to Hideaki Watanabe, head of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), the X-2 can be used to give Japan more bargaining power in future joint development projects because of its technological advancement. There is also potential that technologies developed from the X-2 can be transferred and used for civilian applications as the Mitsubishi F-2 has done prior. The F-2 (although its development is controversial) introduced the first usage of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and AESA radar on a fighter aircraft. CFRP material would later be used for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and while the AESA radar technology would help produce electronic toll collection system.{{Cite news|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Biotechnology/Japan-s-stealth-fighter-promises-more-than-military-defense|title=Japan's stealth fighter promises more than military defense|last=Uesaka|first=Yoshifumi|date=25 February 2016|work=Nikkei Asian Review|access-date=8 July 2019}}

Design

File:ATD-X スケールモデル.JPG

The X-2 will be used as a technology demonstrator and research prototype to determine whether domestic advanced technologies for a fifth generation fighter aircraft are viable.{{cite web|url=http://www.strategycenter.net/research/pubID.173/pub_detail.asp|title=Japanese Military Technology Advances|work=International Assessment and Strategy Center|access-date=17 June 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418182819/http://www.strategycenter.net/research/pubID.173/pub_detail.asp|archive-date=18 April 2012}} The aircraft features 3-D thrust vectoring capability. Thrust is controlled in the ATD-X by three paddles on each engine nozzle similar to the system used on the Rockwell X-31, while an axis-symmetric thrust vectoring engine is also being developed for the full-scale production model.

Among the planned features of the X-2 is a fly-by-optics flight control system, which by replacing traditional wires with optical fibers, allows data to be transferred faster and with immunity to electromagnetic disturbance.

Its radar will be an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar called the 'Multifunction RF Sensor', which is intended to have broad spectrum agility, capabilities for electronic countermeasures (ECM), electronic support measures (ESM), communications functions, and possibly even microwave weapon functions.

A further feature will be a so-called {{nihongo|'Self Repairing Flight Control Capability'|自己修復飛行制御機能}}, which will allow the aircraft to automatically detect failures or damage in its flight control surfaces, and using the remaining control surfaces, calibrate accordingly to retain controlled flight.

The X-2 was equipped with two IHI Corporation XF5 engines for the test flights.[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/japan-aerospace-scientists-ready-x-2-for-flight-te-430289/ ]. Flightglobal.com

To minimize its radar cross-section (RCS), the X-2's body is designed to have even surfaces and eliminate seam joints. The radiation-absorbent material (RAM) used on the body is reportedly a composite material consisting of ceramic and silicon carbide and is developed by Ube Industries, while the cockpit windshield is coated with a special tin alloy. The aircraft incorporates a serpentine shaped air intake duct to further suppress radar reflection. According to Hideaki Miwa of the Defense Ministry's procurement agency, the X-2's RCS is "no bigger than a giant beetle viewed from tens of kilometers away".

Specifications (X-2)

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Miyakawa et al, 2008;{{Cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/hyouka/seisaku/results/21/jigo/youshi/16.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2021-07-02 |archive-date=2017-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322083332/http://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/hyouka/seisaku/results/21/jigo/youshi/16.pdf |url-status=dead }} Jane's Defence Weekly{{Cite journal|last=Jennings|first=Gareth|title=Japan prepares for ATD-X maiden flight|journal=Jane's Defence Weekly|volume=53|issue=12|date=27 January 2016|publisher=Jane's Information Group|location=Surrey, UK|issn=0265-3818}}

|prime units?=met

|crew=1

|capacity=

|length m=14.174

|length ft=

|length in=

|length note=

|span m=9.099

|span ft=

|span in=

|span note=

|height m=4.514

|height ft=

|height in=

|height note=

|wing area sqm=

|wing area sqft=

|wing area note=

|empty weight kg=9700

|empty weight lb=

|empty weight note=

|gross weight kg=

|gross weight lb=

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight kg=

|max takeoff weight lb=

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number=2

|eng1 name= IHI XF5-1

|eng1 type=low-bypass turbofans

|eng1 kn=

|eng1 lbf=

|eng1 note=

|power original=

|thrust original=

|eng1 kn-ab=

|eng1 lbf-ab=11023

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=

|max speed mph=

|max speed kts=

|max speed note=

|max speed mach=2.25, (Mach 1.28 supercruise)

|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed mph=

|cruise speed kts=

|cruise speed note=

|stall speed kmh=

|stall speed mph=

|stall speed kts=

|stall speed note=

|range km=2,900

|range miles=

|range nmi=1,566

|range note=

|combat range km=761

|combat range miles=473

|combat range nmi=411

|combat range note=

|ferry range km=3,200

|ferry range miles=1,988

|ferry range nmi=1,728

|ferry range note=

|endurance=

|ceiling m=

|ceiling ft=

|ceiling note=

|g limits=

|roll rate=

|glide ratio=

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate ftmin=

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude=

|lift to drag=

|wing loading kg/m2=

|wing loading lb/sqft=

|wing loading note=

|fuel consumption kg/km=

|fuel consumption lb/mi=

|thrust/weight=

|more performance=

|avionics=

}}

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20081023150557/http://www.mod.go.jp/trdi/news/0605.html ATD-X Full size model] Technical Research and Development Institute Ministry of Defense
[http://www.mhi.co.jp/technology/review/pdf/454/454058.pdf Research of Flight Control System for High Maneuver Aircraft] Mitsubishi
[http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/176/176559/index-2.html Full size model on display in Japan International Aerospace Exhibition 2008] ASCII.jp
[https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/japan-just-joined-elite-club-135500817.html Video of prototype takeoff on 22 April 2016]

ATD-X

Category:Stealth aircraft

Category:Twinjets

Category:High-wing aircraft

X-2, Mitsubishi

Category:Aircraft first flown in 2016

Category:Three dimension thrust vectoring aircraft

Category:Japanese experimental aircraft