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Mitsubishi F-15J

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F-15J Eagle
A Japan Air Self Defense Force F-15 flies alongside a U.S. Air Force KC-135.
Role Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
First flight 4 June 1980
Introduction 7 December 1981
Primary user Japan Air Self Defense Force
Number built 213
Developed from McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

The Mitsubishi F-15J Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather interceptor fighter based on the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle by use the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). It was produced under license in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and the F-15DJ and F-15J Kai were also produced.

Design and development

For the fighter which became the succession of F-104J/DJ Starfighter and F-4EJ Phantom II, the Japan Defense Agency examined an McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15C/D Eagle in 1975. The companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries were led to the Japanese Government in April, 1978 and got a license of F-15C/D.[1]

Japan Air Self-Defense Force acquired 203 F-15Js and 20 F-15DJs, of which 2 F-15Js and 12 F-15DJs were made in St. Louis of McDonnell Douglas. It was named program Pease Eagle by FMS, and the first F-15J made in St. Louis was cruised to Japan on July 15, 1980. Additionally, 8 F-15Js were manufactured in large componets and shipped to Japan for final assembling by Komaki of Mitsubishi, and the first of these making its maiden flight on August 26, 1981.[2] Companies divided the remainder share and produced it under license from 1981, and it was produced by final assembling in Mitsubishi.[1]

The F-15J/DJs is identical to the F-15C/Ds from ECM, radar warning system, and nuclear equipment. The AN/ALQ-135 Internal Countermeasures System is replaced by indigenous J/ALQ-8 and the AN/ALR-56 Radar Warning Receiver is replaced by J/APR-4. The engine is the Pratt & Whitney F100 turboshaft, which IHI Corporation produced under license. Some are still characterized by Inertial Measurement unit, an old type of the Inertial Navigation unit. All F-15J/DJs has two old UHF radios, which are also VHF capable.[3]

An ECM antenna position of Mitsubishi F-15J MSIP.

The JASDF pilot does not use much Japanese, but is characterized by a indigenous Tactical Electronic Warfare System suite because the non-Japanese is effective. The F-15Js is characterized by indigenous data link, but they do not support Link 16 FDL mounted by UASF F-15C. It works as a basic bidirectional link with the Japanese ground-controlled intercept network, and it is limited because it is not a true network.[3]

Mitsubishi received American MSIP and began with 1987 on a F-15J/DJs to produce. Improvements included an uprated central computer, engines, Armament control set and added J/APQ-1 countermeasure set. Even the JASDF F-15s which already went into service caught the Japanese MSIP at the time of repair (IRAN).[2][4][5] The F-15J MSIPs were replaced from 1992 to F100-PW-220 (Also IHI-220 as); from 1996 to F100-PW-220E (Also IHI-220E as) was replaced.[6] The difference in the appearance includes J/ALQ-8 ICS which an ICS antenna mounted under the intake. The J/APQ-4 RWR antenna position of F-15J/DJs is the same as F-15C/Ds, but the lens of F-15J/DJ MSIPs are black for white F-15C/Ds.[3]

Improvement Program

F-15J revised MTDP, it received 2nd phases modernization, and can see a change around the intake.

The F-15Js have been equipped with the Japanese-built AAM-3 missile, an improved Sidewinder follow-on with distinctive "barbed" forward fins. Japan has been trying to obtain an Advanced fighter (F-22 Raptor in days) to replace the F-15, but the search has been troublesome, and so the F-15J fleet is now being generally upgraded to keep the aircraft in fighting trim.[7] In July 28, 2003, examination F-15J of the modernization did first flight (#928), and it was delivered to the JASDF Air Development Test Wing on October 21, 2003.[8][9]

In December 10, 2004, the Japanese Government approved a Mid-Term Defense Program (MTDP) to perform modernization of F-15J MSIPs in five years by the cause of a new National Defense Program Guidelines.[10] It appears the upgrade is being implemented in phases, but ultimately the refits will include a new ejection seat; replaced IHI-220E engines; more powerful processor; uprated electrical generation and cooling capabilities to support more avionics and the Raytheon AN/APG-63(V)1 AESA radar.[7] The APG-63(V)1 radar has been retrofitted to F-15Js by Mitsubishi Electric produced them under license from 1997. The Raytheon expects the programme will ultimately installing to 80 F-15Js.[11]

The Ministry of Defense requested modernization and the reconnaissance deployment of F-15Js in June 2007, and it was a plan to improve certain F-15Js with synthetic aperture radar pods; these aircraft will replace RF-4 Phantom II currently in service.[12][13]

In December 17, 2009, On the approved budget, the upgrade F-15J with Reconnaissance capacity plan disappeared after the Democratic Party arrived at the government, and they were shelved the acquisition of the new Reconnaissance aircraft and the new Cargo aircraft in the revised MTDP, and gave priority to improvement of the F-15J and the F-2. The F-15Js was increased from 26 to 48, 38 F-15Js of those get a Link 16 datalink and helmet-mounted sight after getting an original MTDP.[14] The new radar will support the AAM-4 missile, the Japanese answer to the AMRAAM, and the helmet-mounted sight will support the AAM-5 dogfighting missile, which will replace the AAM-3.[7]

Variants

F-15J
Single-seat fighter version for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 139 built under license in Japan by Mitsubishi 1981-97, two built in St. Louis.[15]
F-15DJ
Two-seat training version for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. 12 built in St. Louis, and 25 built under license in Japan by Mitsubishi during 1981-97.[15]
F-15J Kai
F-15J was modernized, and it was given a popular name called F-15 Kai (Kai standing for Modified) with a japanese magazines. There is not the official name, but points at original MTDP F-15Js and revised MTDP F-15Js.

Operators

Two F-15J Eagles of the 202nd TFS, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, take off in formation during a joint USA/Japan exercise.

Specifications (F-15J)

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1: pilotFuel capacity: 13,455 lb (6,100 kg) internal

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ a b Davies, Dildy 2007. p.152
  2. ^ a b "Boeing (Mitsubishi) F-15J Eagle (United States)". Jane's All the World's Aircraft. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  3. ^ a b c Davies, Dildy 2007. p.153
  4. ^ "F-15J / DJ" (in Japanese). Rightwing. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  5. ^ "J/APQ-1 rear warning receiver (Japan)". Jane's Avionics. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  6. ^ Flight International (1998-09-02). "Japan looks at Eagle engine swap". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  7. ^ a b c goebel, greg. "F-15 In Japanese Service". Air Vectors. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  8. ^ Aoki, Norio. "Mitsubishi/McDonnel F-15" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  9. ^ "We deliver modernization F-15 of trial improve" (in Japanese). MHI Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  10. ^ "Mid-Term Defense Program (FY 2005-2009)" (PDF). National Defense Program Guidelines (Dec. 10, 2004). Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  11. ^ "Melco starts F-15J radar upgrade". (14 March 2006) Flight International. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  12. ^ "Lockheed Martin to Upgrade Radar for Reconnaissance Version of Japan's F-15." Lockheed Martin press release, 19 June 2007.
  13. ^ Govindasamy, Siva (2007-11-26). "Mitsubishi to lead Japanese F-15 upgrades". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  14. ^ "5. Scale of Build-up and Necessary Budget, Section 4. Mid-Term Defense Program" (PDF). Annual White Paper 2009 (DEFENSE OF JAPAN). Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  15. ^ a b Davies 2002.
  16. ^ "Directory: World Air Forces". Flight International, 11–17 November 2008.
  • Davies, Steve. Combat Legend, F-15 Eagle and Strike Eagle. London: Airlife Publishing, Ltd., 2002. ISBN 1-84037-377-6.
  • Davies, Steve. Dildy, Doug. F-15 Eagle Engaged: The World's Most Successful Jet Fighter. Osprey Publishing, 2007. ISBN 1846031699.
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