The Mitsubishi F-2 is a multirole fighter derived from the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, and 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 United States. Production started in 1996 and the first aircraft entered service in 2000. The first 76 aircraft entered service by 2008, with a total of 98 airframes produced. The first active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar on a combat aircraft was the J/APG-1 introduced on the Mitsubishi F-2 in 1995. The F-2 is nicknamed "Viper Zero", a reference to the F-16's semi-official nickname of "Viper" and the Mitsubishi A6M Zero.

General Electric, Kawasaki, Honeywell, Raytheon, NEC, Hazeltine, and Kokusai Electric were among the primary component sub-contractors. Lockheed Martin supplied the aft fuselage, leading-edge slats, stores management system, a large portion of wingboxes (as part of two-way technology transfer agreements), and other components. Kawasaki built the midsection of the fuselage, as well as the doors to the main wheel and the engine, while the forward fuselage and wings were built by Mitsubishi. Avionics were supplied by Lockheed Martin, and the digital fly-by-wire system was jointly developed by Japan Aviation Electric and Honeywell (formerly Allied Signal). Contractors for communication systems and IFF interrogators included: Raytheon, NEC, Hazeltine, and Kokusai Electric. Final assembly was done in Japan, by MHI at its Komaki-South facility in Nagoya.

Larger wings give an aircraft better payload and maneuverability in proportion to its thrust, but also tend to add weight to the airframe in various ways. More weight can have negative effects on acceleration, climbing, payload, and range. To make the larger wings lighter the skin, spars, ribs and cap of the wings were made from graphite-epoxy composite and co-cured in an autoclave. This was the first application of co-cured technology to a production tactical fighter. This 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 then transferred back to America, as part of the program's industrial partnership.

The F-2 has three display screens, including a liquid crystal display from Yokogawa.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Japanese Air Self Defense Force Mitsubishi F-2A multirole fighter that was attached to the 3rd Squadron, 7th Air Wing, then deployed to Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, during 2023 which participated in Veer Guardian 23. Pre-order! Ship Date: February 2025.

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-inches
Length: 8-inches

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "Veer Guardian 23" - The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has announced that the Indian and Japanese air forces have completed the bilateral air defense exercise Veer Guardian 2023. The maiden iteration of this joint exercise was held between January 12th and 26th from the Hyakuri Air Base in Japan.

The exercise involved the participation of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's (JASDF) four F-2 multi-role attack jets and four F-15 fighter aircraft.

Deployed air assets from the Indian Air Force (IAF) included a contingent of four Su-30 MKI aircraft, one Ilyushin Il-78 in-flight refueling tanker and two C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift transport aircraft.

As part of this training event, the aircraft from both air forces carried out a wide range of extensive and complex air drills in different simulated operational environments.

Throughout the exercise, which lasted for a total of 16 days, participating personnel from the IAF and JASDF engaged in the 'precise planning and skillful execution' of comprehensive exercises and scenarios.

It included interception and air defense operations, as well as other air combat missions conducted in both visual and beyond visual range settings. IAF and JASDF personnel also performed various ground interactions to discuss and exchange a variety of concepts.