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Mitsubishi FS-T2 Kai (三菱 FS-T2改)
The Mitsubishi FS-T2 Kai is a Japanese support aircraft that was a prototype of the Mitsubishi F-1 support fighter. The FS-T2 Kai aircraft flew for the first time on June 3, 1975. Two prototype aircraft FS-T2 Kai were created with the numbers 59-5106 and 59-5107.
History
On December 15, 1971, when the first prototype Mitsubishi XT-2 (Prototype T-2) was delivered to the JASDF, this stage of the design work was completed, allowing resources to be immediately redirected toward the construction of a support fighter based on it. The Japanese Ministry of Defense had already planned during the design work on the future T-2 to create a support fighter based on it (the name ‘support aircraft’ was meant to conceal that it was actually an attack aircraft). The new project was designated FS-T2 Kai, meaning FS for support fighter, T-2 indicating it was based on the Mitsubishi T-2, and Kai indicating that it was a modification. In June 1972, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force presented the basic requirements that the FS-T2 Kai must meet, and the basic outline of the project was established at the Equipment Council on July 24. On October 9, 1972, the National Security Council issued a policy directive for the project. At the same time, the USA was trying to sell its Northrop T-38/F-5 aircraft, which they had been attempting to do since the beginning of the T-2 projects up until the production acceptance of the F-1 fighters. During a National Defense Council meeting in October 1972, the Americans and the Japanese who supported their idea expressed the opinion that the Northrop F-5E fighters would be a better choice than the Japanese project. There were claims that the F-5E is better for the defense of Japan because it is equipped with radars and bomb targeting systems (it was considered that this would not be offensive weaponry because the aircraft has too short a range to accuse the Japanese of aggression towards the USSR or China) and has excellent performance. However, the National Defense Council rejected the proposal to purchase the F-5E and the Fourth Defense Capability Development Plan secured funds for the purchase of 59 new T-2 aircraft and for the development and purchase of 68 FS-T2 Kai aircraft (the future F-1). Thanks to the Fourth Plan for the Development of Defense Capabilities, the FS-T2 Kai project received necessary funding for the development of advanced technologies for the future support aircraft. In May 1973, at Mitsubishi facilities, a fire control system (FCS) was developed, which was completed by the end of the year. It was also established at that time that the aircraft should resemble the T-2 as closely as possible, so the main changes were in the cockpit (the co-pilot’s seat in the FS-T2 Kai was covered, and in the production F-1 it was completely removed). In March 1973, it was decided to convert the second and third production T-2 aircraft into prototypes of the FS-T2 Kai, which were aircraft number 59-5106 and 59-5107. The FS-T2 Kai prototype was completed in 1975, and the first flight of aircraft number 106 took place on June 3, 1975, and of aircraft number 107 on June 7, 1975. Then, throughout July 1975, in-flight tests were conducted, and only after their completion were further tests initiated. By March 1976, there had been 213 combat flights, and the results were compiled in the FS-T2 Revised Technical and Practical Test Report. After these tests, it was determined that the FS-T2 Kai aircraft met the requirements, and the project was successfully concluded, with the new FS-T2 Kai aircraft being accepted into service as F-1 (the first production F-1 was introduced into service on February 25, 1977). However, this was not the end of the story for FS-T2 Kai aircraft numbers 106 and 107, as these aircraft did not reach front-line units but remained in the ADTW squadron, where they served various purposes. By the end of the 1970s, these aircraft were used for testing the anti-ship missile XASM-1, which later equipped Mitsubishi F-1 aircraft as the anti-ship missile ASM-1. Subsequently, the Mitsubishi FS-T2 Kai aircraft were used in the 1980s to test the anti-ship missiles XASM-2 and guided bombs XGCS-1. The XASM-2 anti-ship missiles entered service in 1993 as ASM-2, and the XGCS-1 guided bombs entered service in 1991 as GCS-1. The FS-T2 Kai aircraft served in the ADTW unit until June 5, 2002 (FS-T2 Kai 106) and July 22, 2002 (FS-T2 Kai 107). Mitsubishi FS-T2 Kai aircraft number 107 can still be seen at Gifu Air Base.
Construction description
The Mitsubishi FS-T2 Kai is based on the training-combat aircraft Mitsubishi T-2, with which it is almost identical, but there are important differences between them. I will try to present everything here.
- The position of the second pilot (the position of the rear pilot) has been removed.
- A vertical stabilizer was equipped with a radar warning system (RWR), J/APR-3 (RHAWS).
- The aircraft was equipped with a fire control system (RCS) J/AWG-12 and connected to it was a modified optical sight 97JP-1.
- The aircraft was equipped with the J/ASN-1 Inertial Navigation System (INS).
- During later service, an Anti-Ship Missile Guidance System J/AWA-1 was installed on the aircraft (allows the use of anti-ship missiles ASM-1 and ASM-2(?))
- The aircraft was equipped with a J/APN-44 radio altimeter.
- The aircraft was equipped with the Air Data Computer (ADC) J/A24G-3.
- The aircraft was equipped with a digital ballistic calculator J/ASQ-1, which operated in CCIP and CCRP modes.
- The aircraft received compatibility with dual bomb mounts, two belly mounts, and mounts for air-to-air missiles under the wings (not just at the wingtips).
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 17,85 m
- Wingspan: 7,88 m
- Height: 4,45 m
- Wing area: 21,17 m2
- Empty weight: 6 358 kg (?)
- Gross weight: 13 674 kg (?)
- Max takeoff weight: ?
- Powerplant: 2 × Ishikawa-Harima TF40-IHI-801A afterburning turbofan engines, 22.8 kN (5,100 lbf) thrust each dry, 35.6 kN (8,000 lbf) with afterburner
Performance
- Maximum speed: 1 710 km/h
- Cruise speed: ?
- Range: 2,870 km
- Service ceiling: 15 240 m
- Rate of climb: 140 m/s
Armament
- Fixed armament
- 1 x 20 mm JM61 cannon with a total capacity of 750 rounds
- Armament mounted on seven fixed points under the wings and fuselage
- 4 x AIM-9 Sidewinder (AIM-9B, AIM-9E, AIM-9P, AIM-9L)
- 4 x Type 69 Air-to-Air Missile, AAM-1
- 12 x 227 kg (500 lb) bombs Mk.82
- 5 x 340 kg (750 lb) bombs M117
- 10 x 227 kg (500 lb) GCS-1 Bomb
- 5 x 340 kg (750 lb) GCS-1 bomb
- 5 x 430 kg (950 lb) CBU-87/B cluster bombs
- 4 x CBLS-200 (Training dispenser.It can carry four 25-pound BDU-33 training bombs and four rockets 2,75 cala)
- 16 x Zuni Mk.32 rockets 5 inch
- 28 x Mighty Mouse rockets 2.75 inches
- 76 x Mighty Mouse rockets 2.75 inches
- 2 x active radar anti-ship missiles ASM-1 (XASM-1)
- 2 x infrared anti-ship missiles ASM-2 (XASM-2)
- 2 x ECM capsule AN/ALE-41K (?)
- 2 x ECM dispenser J/ALQ-6
- Fuel dump tanks
- 3 x 821 l drop tank (two under the wings and one under the fuselage)
Special thanks
Summary
The Mitsubishi FS-T2 Kai is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. Currently, it is a more powerful aircraft than the Mitsubishi F-1, which has no evidence of being equipped with ASM-2 missiles. This aircraft would be a good replacement for the poorly received T-2 (early) premium aircraft. This aircraft will be a very useful CAS support for Japan. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
F-1 (航空機) - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi F-1 - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi FS-T2 Kai - Passed for Consideration - War Thunder - Official Forum
Mitsubishi T-2 / F-1 & Kawasaki T-4
Mitsubishi F-1 (Supersonic Rei-Sen): Photos, History, Specification
Air Development & Test Wing | J-HangarSpace: Information on Japanese Aviation
F-1 Support Fighter / T-2 Supersonic Trainer
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi F-1
三菱T-2前期型/後期型,T-2特別仕様機,T-2CCV
三菱Ｔ２の全機シリアル
航空自衛隊 三菱T-2の展示機 - 用廃機ハンターが行く！
Platz AC-25 Mitsubishi FS-T2Kai (T2 modfied for Fighter Support)
Od Mitsubishi T-2 do F-1, czyli jak samolot szkolny stał się uderzeniowym | Konflikty.pl
JASDF FIGHTER/AGGRESSOR MITSUBISHI T-2/F-1, PICTORIAL BOOKLET, FAOW #91 BUNRINDO JAPAN | RareBooksJapan.com
航空自衛隊の装備品一覧 - Wikipedia
Book sources
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