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Mitsubishi F-15J (Peace Eagle)

1981 COLD WAR MODERN AIRCRAFT

History

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has been using Cold War-era supersonic jets - the Lockheed F-104J/DJ "Starfighter" and the McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ "Phantom II" Type - until the mid-1970s. At this point, the service is looking for a single solution to replace both types of aging. His defense agency whittled down the crowded field to a few strong candidates, with the F-15C/D variant appearing to fit the bill the best.

This led to extensive talks between the United States and Japan to produce versions locally under license from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces - resulting in the Peace Eagle.

Introduced in 1981, the Japanese J-Type Eagle is in service today (2019). The combined production of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) has reached 223.

This was followed by the two-seat F-15DJ model for advanced fighter training and carrying a second crew member. Twelve of them were built by McDonnell Douglas at its St. Louis plant, and the final 25 were handled by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. DJ models were produced from 1981 to 1997.

The F-15J "Kai" variant came online as a modernized version of the original F-15J fighter. The latest move is the F-15J "Japanese Super Interceptor," which promises to extend the life of these aircraft by decades thanks to updates to digital processing, airborne radar equipment and electronic countermeasures (ECM) suites.

Japan is the sole operator of the J-Eagle. It entered service in 2019 and has seven active fighter squadrons, a test wing and a training squadron of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

The J/DJ model was upgraded in the late 1980s to include improved digital processing, engine, ECM and gun delivery/support.

The F-15 in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force is expected to be replaced (for air superiority purposes) by an advanced 5th generation domestically produced fighter form that has yet to materialize. However, the service has begun accepting fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II strike fighters to enhance its airborne capabilities for the next decade.

The F-15J will be deployed alongside the remaining fleet of EF/RF-4EJ Phantom II and F-2A (F-16 Fighting Falcon) multirole aircraft.

The total J-fighter force to date (2019) reaches 155, making the Japan Air Self-Defense Force the largest F-15 Eagle operator outside the United States.

Specification

Basic

Year:

1981

Status:

active, on duty

Staff:

Production

[223 units]:

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) - Japan / McDonnell Douglas; Boeing - United States

Roles

- Fighter

- Reconnaissance (RECCE)

- Education

- Further training

Dimensions

Length:

19.45m

Width:

13.05m

Height:

5.65m

Weight

Curb Weight:

12,700 kg

MTOW:

30,845 kg

(difference: +40.003lb)

Performance

2 x Pratt & Whitney F100-100 or F100-200 afterburning turbofan engines producing 17,450 lbs (each) dry thrust and 25,000 lbs (each) reheat thrust.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

1,656 mph (2,665 km/h; 1,439 knots)

Service Limit:

65,617 ft (20,000 m; 12.43 mi)

Rate of climb:

50,000 ft/min (15,240 m/min)

Armor

Standard, Fixed:

1 x 20mm M61 "Vulcan" Internal Rotating Gatling Gun.

Optional, depends on role:

Supports various combat air-to-air missiles (AAM) in Japan and the United States, including the AAM-3, AAM-4, AAM-5, AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow.

For ground support roles, Mk 82 series general purpose bombs (conventional throwing bombs), CBU-87 cluster bombs, etc. are available.

Changes

F-15J - Designation of the basic series; single-seat model.

F-15J Kai - A modernized F-15J fighter; work started in the late 1980s to improve performance and survivability.

F-15J "Japanese Super Interceptor" - Proposed modernization of the F-15J fighter family, covering a total of 98 aircraft; changes include new radar, modern handling and updated survival kit.