Mitsubishi F-2 (Wallpaper 3)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
image dimensions : 1092 x 682
Mitsubishi F-2 (Wallpaper 3)
3. Photo wallpaper gallery of Mitsubishi F-2 Jet Fighter aircraft. 3. Mitsubishi F-2 Jet Fighter aircraft pictures and images collection.
Japan’s F-2 looks like the F-16 from which it was derived. When placed side by side, however, it is noticeably bigger, with a 17” longer fuselage, larger horizontal tails, 25% more wing area, more internal fuel storage, and 2 more weapon store stations than the F-16. Weapons carried include the AIM-9L Sidewinder and MHI AAM-3 short range air-air missiles, the AIM-7F Sparrow medium range air-air missile, MHI’s Type 89 ASM-1 and ASM-2 anti-ship missiles, rocket launchers, and bombs including GPS-guided JDAM weapons. The centerline and inner-wing hardpoints are “wet,” and can carry drop tanks with up to 4,400kg of fuel for long range combat air patrols. The aircraft is powered by GE’s uprated F110-129 engine generating 17,000 pounds of thrust, or 29,600 pounds with afterburners on. The F-2’s increased range is very useful to Japan, given their need to cover large land and maritime areas. Nevertheless, as a result of design decisions and meddling from Washington, the resulting aircraft ended up costing almost as much as an F-15J without delivering the same performance. As a result, production ended early. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was the prime contractor for the F-2, with partnerships in Japan and America. Lockheed Martin in particular is a major subcontractor, and their releases offer a window into the larger F-2 program Japan already produces F-15J Eagle aircraft under license from Boeing, and in 1987 they selected Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet as the basis for a “local” design that would replace its 1970s era F-1s. The aim was to produce a less expensive fighter to complement its F-15s, receive key aerospace technology transfers, and give Japan’s aerospace industry experience with cutting-edge manufacturing and component technologies. The US Congress proved to be a significant program obstacle, however, raising many questions about technology transfer issues. That delayed the program by at least 2 years, and also led to a better but more expensive design. The F-2 delivered on the technology front. Its heavy use of graphite epoxy and co-cured composite technology for the wings encountered some teething problems, but proved to be a leading-edge use of a technology that provides weight savings, improved range, and some stealth benefits. This technology was transferred back to America as part of the industrial partnership.
3. Photo wallpaper gallery of Mitsubishi F-2 Jet Fighter aircraft. 3. Mitsubishi F-2 Jet Fighter aircraft pictures and images collection.
Japan’s F-2 looks like the F-16 from which it was derived. When placed side by side, however, it is noticeably bigger, with a 17” longer fuselage, larger horizontal tails, 25% more wing area, more internal fuel storage, and 2 more weapon store stations than the F-16. Weapons carried include the AIM-9L Sidewinder and MHI AAM-3 short range air-air missiles, the AIM-7F Sparrow medium range air-air missile, MHI’s Type 89 ASM-1 and ASM-2 anti-ship missiles, rocket launchers, and bombs including GPS-guided JDAM weapons. The centerline and inner-wing hardpoints are “wet,” and can carry drop tanks with up to 4,400kg of fuel for long range combat air patrols. The aircraft is powered by GE’s uprated F110-129 engine generating 17,000 pounds of thrust, or 29,600 pounds with afterburners on. The F-2’s increased range is very useful to Japan, given their need to cover large land and maritime areas. Nevertheless, as a result of design decisions and meddling from Washington, the resulting aircraft ended up costing almost as much as an F-15J without delivering the same performance. As a result, production ended early. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was the prime contractor for the F-2, with partnerships in Japan and America. Lockheed Martin in particular is a major subcontractor, and their releases offer a window into the larger F-2 program Japan already produces F-15J Eagle aircraft under license from Boeing, and in 1987 they selected Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet as the basis for a “local” design that would replace its 1970s era F-1s. The aim was to produce a less expensive fighter to complement its F-15s, receive key aerospace technology transfers, and give Japan’s aerospace industry experience with cutting-edge manufacturing and component technologies. The US Congress proved to be a significant program obstacle, however, raising many questions about technology transfer issues. That delayed the program by at least 2 years, and also led to a better but more expensive design. The F-2 delivered on the technology front. Its heavy use of graphite epoxy and co-cured composite technology for the wings encountered some teething problems, but proved to be a leading-edge use of a technology that provides weight savings, improved range, and some stealth benefits. This technology was transferred back to America as part of the industrial partnership.
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