I mean, from what im aware they wouldnt have to integrate anything, all the ASMs use the same targeting modes IIRC (or well, from the 2B onwards they have one more), and have the same umbilical. From the sound of it they literally use the exact same protocols for communication.
There is, however, one more thing holding back 6x ASMs. The computer simply might not have enough RAM for it. The F-2’s FCS has extremely low RAM, like, it was considered outdated by the late 90s levels of low. This has caused a cap on the maximum number of guided weapons which can be programmed at a time. While the limit isnt publicacly known, it could be part of the reason they dont cram 6x ASM loadouts on it.
Where does this claim even come from? Even the earliest mission computer prototype before even being printed on a proper board was said to have good memory when evaluated by the Americans. It’s safe to assume that this was only improved with how basic the model shown to the Americans was.
Uhhh, i can’t recall off the top of my head, will try to find it, it was a few secondary sources. However, i will contest your point, on “being better then the F-16” meaning it was good for the time. The MMC3000 (MIPS R3500) used by the newest F-16s at the time of the paper only had 4MB of ram. For reference the F-15C from a decade and a half prior had a full quarter of that, at 1MB from the IBM AP-1. And F-16s from when the F-2 entered service had 10MB with the MMC5000.
4MB was not a particularly high bar especially with the first source saying it’s about equal, instead of saying greater then. And while having more then that was okay yeah pretty decent for the early 90s, it’s not saying it really holds up to modern (early 2000s) standards. Also the F-2 uses a lot more of it’s RAM for regular operation then the F-16 does. Stuff like radar mode interleaving and it’s ECM profiling take up a good bit of RAM which the F-16 doesn’t require.
Ii’ll try to find the sources I was thinking of, specifically for them talking about it limiting weapon loads, since that’s the only part that really matters, might be a day or two though.
from a quick search thats Hamamatsu JASDF Air Park. They have quite a view interesting aircraft, including the Mitsubishi XF-2A, the first prototype of the F-2.
At least for the ATDW aircraft.
There are constantly a budget named “F-2 performance improve” so I believe some of the F-2 in service are having this upgrade.
