For me the F-16 is the coolest US jet, which is also why I like the F-2 a lot since it’s quite simply the pinnacle of F-16 design (and it comes in blue)
almost all of these things happened before the EFT existed or was even in service. And besides that, you got no real world proof
F-16E/F-16V/F-21?
AFAIK, they’re just modernization while keeping the basic airframe intact? Basically upgrading the electronics, adding CFTs, etc. but it’s still based off the same block 50?
I was more referring to the agile falcon part that, AFAIK, got rejected because of costs for the US and a modified version of that is what JPN ran developed/used (with the whole wing area and FBW changes/upgrades)
Block 60 has more airframe changes. F-21 might have the GE-132 as well and I’m fairly certain it had airframe improvements too
I guess I view those aircraft as being more of a missile boat carrying modern/future munitions but not really a building upon maneuverability and dogfighting mentality that brought the original F-16 (which in the modern age doesn’t matter ofc)
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Yep. You might disagree but I think Japan should’ve pursued true advanced eagles (not sure if JSI is going to get the full a2g deal, probably not since it’s Japanese Super Interceptor and not Interdictor). It would give JSDF much, much better strike capabilities than what they have now
It would be cooler if they made another indigenous design but yea. I’d like to see a Japanese stealth fighter, ala X-2 but who knows
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Yeah, it would complement stealth fighters like EX/E complements F-22/35
actually, F-2 isn’t but based on A2A.
Its main purpose is just a carrier of the ASM-2, A2A is F-15’s job
Why the AESA then if they would just use it to ferry ASM’s
well, Japan is kinda in a spot where they technically cant have a true dedicated strike aircraft, since that would mean arming up for an offensive army which is no bueno, so the closest they can get away with is fighters made for anti ship duties carrying near enough the same weapon systems in order to not violate their constitution. ATM the F-2 is Japans fighter/“bomber” with anti ship capabilities, which replaced the F-1 in an identical role
Well F-15 got certified/is being certified for LRASM. So it could fit in. Also the Japanese are arming up. Buying AMRAAMs, JASSM-ER’s (fighter carriable cruise missile, not for anti ship)
they are arming up, but not for any sort of offensive war. Their position is strictly defensive
Yea the F-15 is the primary air interceptor and the F-2’s primary purpose is to carry 4x ASMs. However, F-2 is also multirole and they punched above their weight so it can do both. IIRC, the co-development heavily borrowed/was inspired by the Agile Falcon which was a further improvement on the F-16 design to be a better light fighter.
AESA is useful for ground targeting I think
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Heavy a2g/a2surface can still be used defensively
oh definetly, but they still have to work within the restrictions which means they arent allowed some weapons others can have
This is true, but ships aren’t exactly small targets. I mean at time of F-2, something like smaller APG-70 or a PESA would’ve been fine.
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Shame, it would solve all WT Japan CAS issues
it also provided good surface scan ability
it started with FS-X project, a support jet, even Tornado IDS is considered
they are trying to change the position, but this is political part, better not discuss more
not really, some kind of the weapon is considered as offensive, like MAVs and other anti-ground ammos, that’s why they only can use it on P-1.