Mitsubishi F-15J
Encyclopedia
The Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather interceptor fighter
based on the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle in use by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force
(JASDF). It was produced under license by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
. The subsequent F-15DJ and F-15J Kai variants were also produced. Japan is the largest customer of the F-15 Eagle outside the United States. In addition to combat, F-15DJ roles include training
. The F-15J Kai is a modernized version of the F-15J.
After congressional
review, the Department of Defense
(DoD) withheld the aircraft's electronic warfare and engine systems from the licensing. Initially, the aircraft were produced in the U.S. and exported to Japan. This initial export production contributed to aircraft development under the defense industry of Japan
while facilitating base production of aircraft, achieving the goal of producing a fighter to Japan's requirements.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force acquired 203 F-15Js and 20 F-15DJs, of which 2 F-15Js and 12 F-15DJs were built by McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis
, Missouri. Dubbed the "Peace Eagle" by the DoD FMS
program, the first F-15J built in St. Louis was delivered to the United States Air Force
for its first flight on 4 June 1980, and a subsequent cruise on 15 July to Japan. Additionally, 8 F-15Js were manufactured in large components and shipped to Japan for final assembly by Komaki of Mitsubishi, the first of these making its maiden flight on 26 August 1981 (serial number 12–8803). Companies divided the remainder share and produced it under license from 1981, with final assembly of aircraft performed by Mitsubishi.
In 1980, the Japanese government applied for access to advanced technology through the U.S.-Japan Forum (S&TF) but was rejected. The JDA and the DoD held an annual meeting about relaxation of the regulation after a program was started. In these meetings, the DoD official gave an answer that permitted access to initially prohibited technology of various types including composite material
.
In the latter period of 1981, the first F-15J/DJ aircraft were sent to the 202 Squadron, which was reorganized as an Eagle FTU and renamed the 23 Flying Training Squadron at Nyutabaru base
on 21 December 1982. The JASDF developed a plan to form the first squadron after the notorious KAL007 shooting down by a Soviet Su-15
on 1 September 1983. In March 1984, new F-15Js began replacing the 203 Squadron's F-104Js at Chitose base
, located across the La Pérouse Strait
from the Soviet fighter base on Sakhalin
Island.
is replaced by J/APR-4. The engine is the Pratt & Whitney F100
turbofan, which IHI Corporation produced under license. Some are still characterized by Inertial Measurement unit, an old type of the Inertial Navigation unit
. All F-15J/DJs has two old UHF radios, which are also VHF capable.
JASDF pilots does not use much Japanese, but is characterized by a indigenous Tactical Electronic Warfare System suite because the non-Japanese is effective. F-15Js is characterized by indigenous data link, but they do not support Link 16
FDL mounted by USAF F-15C. It works as a basic bidirectional link with the Japanese ground-controlled intercept network, and it is limited because it is not a true network.
Mitsubishi received F-15C/Ds MSIP and began with 1987 on F-15J/DJs to produce. Improvements included an uprated central computer, engines, Armament control set and added J/APQ-1 countermeasure set. Even the JASDF F-15s which already went into service caught the Japanese MSIP at the time of repair (IRAN). F-15J MSIPs were replaced from 1992 to F100-PW-220 (Also IHI-220 as); from 1996 to F100-PW-220E (Also IHI-220E as) was replaced. The difference in the appearance includes J/ALQ-8 ICS which an ICS antenna mounted under the intake. The J/APQ-4 RWR antenna position of F-15J/DJs is the same as F-15C/Ds, but the lens of F-15J/DJ MSIPs are black for white F-15C/Ds.
missile, an improved Sidewinder
follow-on with distinctive "barbed" forward fins. Japan has been trying to obtain an Advanced fighter (F-22 Raptor) to replace the F-15, but the search has been troublesome, and so the F-15J fleet is now being generally upgraded to keep the aircraft in fighting trim. In 28 July 2003, examination F-15J of the modernization did first flight (#928), and it was delivered to the JASDF Air Development Test Wing on 21 October 2003.
In 10 December 2004, the Japanese Government approved a Mid-Term Defense Program (MTDP) to perform modernization of F-15J MSIPs in five years by the cause of a new National Defense Program Guidelines. It appears the upgrade is being implemented in phases, but ultimately the refits will include a new ejection seat; replaced IHI-220E engines; more powerful processor; uprated electrical generation and cooling capabilities to support more avionics and the Raytheon AN/APG-63(V)1 radar. The APG-63(V)1 radar has been retrofitted to F-15Js by Mitsubishi Electric
produced them under license from 1997. The Raytheon expects the programme will ultimately installing to 80 F-15Js.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) requested modernization and the reconnaissance deployment of F-15Js in June 2007, and it was a plan to improve certain F-15Js with synthetic aperture radar
pods; these aircraft will replace RF-4 Phantom II currently in service.
In 17 December 2009, on the approved budget, the upgrade F-15J with Reconnaissance capacity plan disappeared after the Democratic Party
arrived at the government by General Election in 2009
, and they were shelved the acquisition of the new Reconnaissance aircraft and the new Cargo aircraft in the revised MTDP, and gave priority to improvement of the F-15J and the F-2
. F-15Js was increased from 26 to 48, and MoD purchased the part of the modernization for 38 fighters, however, the budget for improvement for the modernization is unfinished. 48 F-15Js of those get a Link 16 datalink and helmet-mounted sight after getting an original MTDPs modernization. The new radar will support the AAM-4
missile, the Japanese answer to the AMRAAM, and the helmet-mounted sight will support the AAM-5
dogfighting missile, which will replace the AAM-3.
As for the new MTDP approved on 17 December of the next year, the modernization retrogressed to 16 F-15Js. The MoD reduced it and they submitted 10 F-15Js modernization plan and restrained it.
F-15DJ
F-15J Kai:
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
based on the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle in use by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
The , or JASDF, is the aviation branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace and other aerospace operations. The JASDF carries out combat air patrols around Japan, while also maintaining an extensive network of ground and air early warning radar systems...
(JASDF). It was produced under license by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
, or MHI, is a Japanese company. It is one of the core companies of Mitsubishi Group.-History:In 1870 Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi took a lease of Government-owned Nagasaki Shipyard. He named it Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, and started the shipbuilding business on a full scale...
. The subsequent F-15DJ and F-15J Kai variants were also produced. Japan is the largest customer of the F-15 Eagle outside the United States. In addition to combat, F-15DJ roles include training
Flight training
Flight training is a course of study used when learning to pilot an aircraft. The overall purpose of primary and intermediate flight training is the acquisition and honing of basic airmanship skills....
. The F-15J Kai is a modernized version of the F-15J.
Development
In June–July 1975, the Japan Defense Agency (JDA, now Ministry of Defense) examined the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle as one of the 13 candidates for the replacement fighter of the F-104J/DJ Starfighter and F-4EJ Phantom II. A single-seat F-15C and a twin-seat F-15D were evaluated at Edwards AFB, and by December that year, the F-15 was announced the winner, with the government intending to purchase 187 F-15J/DJs. By April 1978, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was designated as the primary contractor and licensing for the F-15C/D was achieved.After congressional
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
review, the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DoD) withheld the aircraft's electronic warfare and engine systems from the licensing. Initially, the aircraft were produced in the U.S. and exported to Japan. This initial export production contributed to aircraft development under the defense industry of Japan
Defense industry of Japan
The Japanese defense industry is the major supplier of the nations own Self-Defense Forces. Production costs are high, due to several factors: the successful Japanese economy of the postwar period allowed for generous defense spending; few products are exported, keeping production numbers low;...
while facilitating base production of aircraft, achieving the goal of producing a fighter to Japan's requirements.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force acquired 203 F-15Js and 20 F-15DJs, of which 2 F-15Js and 12 F-15DJs were built by McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Missouri. Dubbed the "Peace Eagle" by the DoD FMS
Foreign Military Sales
The U.S. Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program facilitates sales of U.S. arms, defense equipment, defense services, and military training to foreign governments...
program, the first F-15J built in St. Louis was delivered to the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
for its first flight on 4 June 1980, and a subsequent cruise on 15 July to Japan. Additionally, 8 F-15Js were manufactured in large components and shipped to Japan for final assembly by Komaki of Mitsubishi, the first of these making its maiden flight on 26 August 1981 (serial number 12–8803). Companies divided the remainder share and produced it under license from 1981, with final assembly of aircraft performed by Mitsubishi.
In 1980, the Japanese government applied for access to advanced technology through the U.S.-Japan Forum (S&TF) but was rejected. The JDA and the DoD held an annual meeting about relaxation of the regulation after a program was started. In these meetings, the DoD official gave an answer that permitted access to initially prohibited technology of various types including composite material
Composite material
Composite materials, often shortened to composites or called composition materials, are engineered or naturally occurring materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate and distinct at the macroscopic or...
.
In the latter period of 1981, the first F-15J/DJ aircraft were sent to the 202 Squadron, which was reorganized as an Eagle FTU and renamed the 23 Flying Training Squadron at Nyutabaru base
Nyutabaru Air Base
is a military aerodrome of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It is located north of Miyazaki in the Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan....
on 21 December 1982. The JASDF developed a plan to form the first squadron after the notorious KAL007 shooting down by a Soviet Su-15
Sukhoi Su-15
The Sukhoi Su-15 was a twin-engined supersonic interceptor developed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s to replace the Sukhoi Su-11, which was becoming obsolete as the United States and Britain introduced newer and more capable strategic bombers...
on 1 September 1983. In March 1984, new F-15Js began replacing the 203 Squadron's F-104Js at Chitose base
Chitose Air Base
, is a Japan Air Self-Defense Force base located in Chitose, Hokkaidō, adjacent to New Chitose Airport. It is the JASDF's primary base in northern Japan and tasked with monitoring Japan's maritime borders with Russia. It was also Hokkaidō's primary civilian airport until the opening of New Chitose...
, located across the La Pérouse Strait
La Perouse Strait
La Pérouse Strait is a strait dividing the southern part of the Russian island of Sakhalin from the northern part of the Japanese island of Hokkaidō, and connecting the Sea of Japan on the west with the Sea of Okhotsk on the east....
from the Soviet fighter base on Sakhalin
Sakhalin
Sakhalin or Saghalien, is a large island in the North Pacific, lying between 45°50' and 54°24' N.It is part of Russia, and is Russia's largest island, and is administered as part of Sakhalin Oblast...
Island.
Design
F-15J/DJs is identical to F-15C/Ds from ECM, radar warning system, and nuclear equipment. The AN/ALQ-135 Internal Countermeasures System is replaced by indigenous J/ALQ-8 and the AN/ALR-56 Radar Warning ReceiverRadar warning receiver
Radar warning receiver systems detect the radio emissions of radar systems. Their primary purpose is to issue a warning when a radar signal that might be a threat is detected. The warning can then be used, manually or automatically, to evade the detected threat...
is replaced by J/APR-4. The engine is the Pratt & Whitney F100
Pratt & Whitney F100
-External links:* * *...
turbofan, which IHI Corporation produced under license. Some are still characterized by Inertial Measurement unit, an old type of the Inertial Navigation unit
Inertial navigation system
An inertial navigation system is a navigation aid that uses a computer, motion sensors and rotation sensors to continuously calculate via dead reckoning the position, orientation, and velocity of a moving object without the need for external references...
. All F-15J/DJs has two old UHF radios, which are also VHF capable.
JASDF pilots does not use much Japanese, but is characterized by a indigenous Tactical Electronic Warfare System suite because the non-Japanese is effective. F-15Js is characterized by indigenous data link, but they do not support Link 16
Link 16
Link 16 is a military tactical data exchange network created and used by the United States and adopted by some of its Allies and by NATO. Its specification is part of the family of Tactical Data Links....
FDL mounted by USAF F-15C. It works as a basic bidirectional link with the Japanese ground-controlled intercept network, and it is limited because it is not a true network.
Mitsubishi received F-15C/Ds MSIP and began with 1987 on F-15J/DJs to produce. Improvements included an uprated central computer, engines, Armament control set and added J/APQ-1 countermeasure set. Even the JASDF F-15s which already went into service caught the Japanese MSIP at the time of repair (IRAN). F-15J MSIPs were replaced from 1992 to F100-PW-220 (Also IHI-220 as); from 1996 to F100-PW-220E (Also IHI-220E as) was replaced. The difference in the appearance includes J/ALQ-8 ICS which an ICS antenna mounted under the intake. The J/APQ-4 RWR antenna position of F-15J/DJs is the same as F-15C/Ds, but the lens of F-15J/DJ MSIPs are black for white F-15C/Ds.
Improvement in MTDP
F-15Js have been equipped with the Japanese-built AAM-3Mitsubishi AAM-3
The Mitsubishi AAM-3 is a short-range air-to-air missile developed in Japan. It has been operated since 1990, and is expected to ultimately replace the US AIM-9 Sidewinder, the missile upon which the AAM-3 is based....
missile, an improved Sidewinder
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. The missile entered service with United States Air Force in the early 1950s, and variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces...
follow-on with distinctive "barbed" forward fins. Japan has been trying to obtain an Advanced fighter (F-22 Raptor) to replace the F-15, but the search has been troublesome, and so the F-15J fleet is now being generally upgraded to keep the aircraft in fighting trim. In 28 July 2003, examination F-15J of the modernization did first flight (#928), and it was delivered to the JASDF Air Development Test Wing on 21 October 2003.
In 10 December 2004, the Japanese Government approved a Mid-Term Defense Program (MTDP) to perform modernization of F-15J MSIPs in five years by the cause of a new National Defense Program Guidelines. It appears the upgrade is being implemented in phases, but ultimately the refits will include a new ejection seat; replaced IHI-220E engines; more powerful processor; uprated electrical generation and cooling capabilities to support more avionics and the Raytheon AN/APG-63(V)1 radar. The APG-63(V)1 radar has been retrofitted to F-15Js by Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric
is a multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the core companies of the Mitsubishi Group....
produced them under license from 1997. The Raytheon expects the programme will ultimately installing to 80 F-15Js.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) requested modernization and the reconnaissance deployment of F-15Js in June 2007, and it was a plan to improve certain F-15Js with synthetic aperture radar
Synthetic aperture radar
Synthetic-aperture radar is a form of radar whose defining characteristic is its use of relative motion between an antenna and its target region to provide distinctive long-term coherent-signal variations that are exploited to obtain finer spatial resolution than is possible with conventional...
pods; these aircraft will replace RF-4 Phantom II currently in service.
In 17 December 2009, on the approved budget, the upgrade F-15J with Reconnaissance capacity plan disappeared after the Democratic Party
Democratic Party of Japan
The is a political party in Japan founded in 1998 by the merger of several opposition parties. Its socially liberal platform is generally considered center-left in the Japanese political spectrum...
arrived at the government by General Election in 2009
Japanese general election, 2009
A general election in Japan was held on August 30, 2009, for all 480 seats of the House of Representatives of Japan, the lower house of the Diet of Japan....
, and they were shelved the acquisition of the new Reconnaissance aircraft and the new Cargo aircraft in the revised MTDP, and gave priority to improvement of the F-15J and the F-2
Mitsubishi F-2
The Mitsubishi F-2 is a multirole fighter manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lockheed Martin for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, with a 60/40 split in manufacturing between Japan and the USA. Production started in 1996 and the first aircraft entered service in 2000. The first 76...
. F-15Js was increased from 26 to 48, and MoD purchased the part of the modernization for 38 fighters, however, the budget for improvement for the modernization is unfinished. 48 F-15Js of those get a Link 16 datalink and helmet-mounted sight after getting an original MTDPs modernization. The new radar will support the AAM-4
Mitsubishi AAM-4
The Mitsubishi AAM-4 is a medium-range active radar-guided air-to-air missile developed in Japan and intended to replace the semi-active radar homing AIM-7 Sparrow missile in service...
missile, the Japanese answer to the AMRAAM, and the helmet-mounted sight will support the AAM-5
Mitsubishi AAM-5
The Mitsubishi AAM-5 is a short-range air-to-air missile developed in Japan. According to a report by Janes.com dated January 31, 2007, the XAAM-5 is a prototype that is undergoing testing and is expected to enter service in 2008.-Specifications:* Length: 2,860 mm* Diameter: 126 mm* Wing...
dogfighting missile, which will replace the AAM-3.
As for the new MTDP approved on 17 December of the next year, the modernization retrogressed to 16 F-15Js. The MoD reduced it and they submitted 10 F-15Js modernization plan and restrained it.
Variants
F-15J- Single-seat fighter version for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 139 built under license in Japan by Mitsubishi 1981–97, two built in St. Louis.
F-15DJ
- Two-seat training version for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. 12 built in St. Louis, and 25 built under license in Japan by Mitsubishi during 1981–97.
F-15J Kai:
- F-15Js was modernized, and it was given a popular name called F-15 Kai (Kai standing for Modified) with a Japanese magazines. There is not the official name, but points at F-15J received Japanese MSIP and MTDP improvement.
Operators
- Japan Air Self Defense Force had 157 F-15Js and 45 F-15DJs in use as of November 2008.
-
- 2nd Air Wing Chitose Air BaseChitose Air Base, is a Japan Air Self-Defense Force base located in Chitose, Hokkaidō, adjacent to New Chitose Airport. It is the JASDF's primary base in northern Japan and tasked with monitoring Japan's maritime borders with Russia. It was also Hokkaidō's primary civilian airport until the opening of New Chitose...
- 201st Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 203rd Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 6th Air Wing Komatsu Air BaseKomatsu Airportis an airport located west southwest of Komatsu Station in the city of Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It serves the southern Ishikawa Prefecture including the capital Kanazawa , and the northern Fukui Prefecture including the capital Fukui.- Overview :Japan Air Self-Defense Force Komatsu...
- 303rd Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 7th Air Wing Hyakuri Air BaseHyakuri AirfieldIbaraki Airport is an airport in the city of Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It also serves as air base for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force under the name Hyakuri Air Base. The airport was known as prior to March 2010, when civil aviation operations began...
- 305th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 8th Air Wing Tsuiki Air Base
- 304th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 83rd Air Group Naha Air BaseNaha Air BaseNaha Air Base is an airbase of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It was formerly under control of the United States Air Force. It is located at Naha Airport, Okinawa, Japan....
- 204th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 2nd Air Wing Chitose Air Base
-
Specifications (F-15J)
See also
External links
- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/f-15j.htmF-15J at Globalsecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...
] - F-15J fighter on Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.