The Japanese Ministry of Defense has announced plans to build a stealth fighter, with plans for the first test flight within five years. The reason Japan wants to build new jet fighter is the fact that the U.S. does not want to sell it the latest supersonic F-22 Raptors.
I wonder whether Japan really intends to develop its own fighter or if this is merely a feint to prod the U.S. to let loose of its technology. The reason I am skeptical is because the Japanese government likes to announce ambitious long-term technological goals such as this and then fail to come through within the allotted time. Postponement is followed by more postponement, until the project eventually sputters and fades.
Faced with the geopolitical realities of an emerging power in China and a certified basket case in North Korea, can Japan really afford to take the risk that this project also will fail?
All governments “announce ambitious long-term technological goals such as this and then fail to come through within the allotted time.” This isn’t a Japanese thing. Besides, China probably stole the technology from America through Israel. Japan can buy it from either of them.
Paul. This is a blog about Japan and so the post comments about what it happening in Japan. There is nothing in the original post that says anything about anything being a uniquely “Japanese thing.” Once again we are left wondering what exactly is your point.
Mitsubishi made the prototype - if they called it the “Zero 2″ would the US be annoyed or offended, do you think? Consider my article:
http://inventorspot.com/articles/new_jasdf_stealth_fighter_jet_be_6254
You can’t deny that is a feint to prod the US to let loose of stealth fighter technology, as it’s still a mere plan. However there are also some companies in Japan(Mitsubishi, Fuji, Kawasaki and Toray), which would like to develop new fighter.
If Japan eventually couldn’t buy the latest supersonic F-22 Raptors from the US, Japan would move to the decision to develop its technology.
Another problem is the intelligence security of SDF. Such an important technology may not be leaked to 3rd country. Next years there will be several discussions between the US and Japan on this issue. The US can’t sell F-22 to Japan, unless Japan fix the intelligence security.
Stealth Planes and an army of robots that can be controled by American kids who like playing first shooter games. Give war a virtual reality. lol..