Mitsubishi X-2 (ATD-X / Shinshin)

History

Like several other prominent world air powers, Japan is developing an indigenous 5th generation fighter concept under the designation ATD-X codename "Shinshin" (later updated to "X-2"). The program will operate under the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) label which also locally produces the Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon and will be led by the Technology Research and Development Institute ("TRDI") of the Japanese Defense Ministry.

The ATD-X is at this point a pure concept demonstration design, not a finished 5th generation fighter as a direct replica of the more formal series production. However, all data collected during testing and development will definitely be used for future fifth-generation combat trials. The ATD-X program, like other Gen 5 programs around the world, has been a costly endeavor for the island nation, always at the mercy of local politics.

It has since grown into a public technology demonstrator, with a maiden flight scheduled for sometime in 2014-2015.

The ATD-X program grew out of Japan's failed attempt to procure the advanced F-22 Raptor from the U.S. government. However, the country has committed to buying 42 of the planned F-35A Lightning II variants, and more orders may be added in time. This didn't derail the ATD-X program.

The preliminary Shinshin concept envisions a faceted airframe pioneered by the US air superiority fighter Lockheed F-22 Raptor. The design places a powerful Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) scanning radar system in the usual fashion under the nose cone array in front of the cockpit. The fuselage blends nicely with the wings while using sharp angles throughout. Assuming a twin-engine design, the ATD-X will feature two rectangular air intakes on either side of the cockpit.

As usual, the wing contains the main appendages and a tail, with a vertical tail that slopes outward. The thrusters are vented through specially designed flat low profile exhaust ports (providing thrust vectoring) below and between each rudder.

Unlike fourth-generation fighter jets that rely on fly-by-wire controls, the ATD-X is designed for newer, faster optical control systems. An onboard self-healing facility is also envisaged for the ATD-X demonstrator, which will be able to detect faulty/faulty control systems and perform diagnostics and repairs to the best of their ability.

The landing gear will be fully retracted. In keeping with the low-profile, low-profile nature of the 5th-generation fighter, the Shinshin was designed with an internal weapons bay, a radar-absorbing coating on its skin and advanced technology throughout.

In addition to the airframe, the engine remains the other half of the fifth-generation fighter challenge, which was sent to Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) to develop and produce a new engine (IHI XF5-1 turbofan) handed over . Thrust up to 20,000 lbs. Like the groundbreaking F-22, the ATD-X is expected to be equipped with "supercruise" support, allowing it to fly supersonic without the use of thirsty (and rocket-carried) afterburners.

A mockup of the ATD-X was unveiled in 2005, while a compact radio-controlled demonstrator modeled on the expected Shinshin design was tested in 2006. The project was approved in 2007 and is fully funded.

If the ATD-X was planned to produce a 5th-generation development on its own in Japan, the outgoing aircraft would be named the Mitsubishi F-3, in reference to the Mitsubishi F-2 (F-16) and the original Mitsubishi F-1 from the Cold War era.

The ATD-X has a barrel length of 46.5 feet, a wingspan of 30 feet, and an overall height of 14.8 feet. Maximum takeoff weight is estimated at 28,660 pounds. The projected straight-line speed may reach Mach 2.

Although the program started in 2007, Japan has since changed its WWII-era policy and will allow its defense products to be exported, which will undoubtedly change the Japanese defense landscape in the near future.

Specification

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Performance

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