General Background

During the 1980s the U.S. military wasn’t interested in an updated version of the F-16 so they passed on the opportunity. Japan was replacing some of their aging fleet and decided to develop the new F-16 Agile Falcon in cooperation with Mitsubishi and Lockheed Martin. Production began in 1996 with the first aircraft being delivered in 2000. The new aircraft was named the F-2 and soon earned the nickname “Viper Zero”. Although the F-2 looks similar to the original F-16 it is larger in almost every aspect.

The Aircraft

In June 2010 Mitsubishi F-2A 03-8557 c/n M1057 was delivered to the JASDF. In March 2011 it was re-registered as 13-8557. On October 5, 2014 13-8557 transferred to the 8th Wing/8th TFS based at Tsuiki AB since mid 2016. The 8th Wing’s 6th and 8th TFS’s make up the JASDF Western Air Defense Force. Prior to acquiring the F-2 the 8th TFS flew the F-4E Phantom II. In 2020 the 8th celebrated its 60th Anniversary and 13-8557 was given a special paint scheme with a predominant Panther face and claw marks.

Specifications

• Designation
• F-2A Single-seat Multi-role fighter
• F-2B Two-seat training version, fully combat capable
• Performance
• Powerplant: General Electric F110-GE-129 turbofan
• Max Speed: Mach 2.0
• Range: 520 miles (834 km) on anti-ship mission
• Service Ceiling: 59,000 ft (18,000 m)
• Dimensions
• Length: 50 ft 11 in (15.52 m)
• Height: 15 ft 5 in (4.69 m)
• Wingspan: 36 ft 6 in (11.13 m)
• Wing Area: 375 ft² (34.84 m²)
• Weights
• Empty Weight: 21,000 lb (9,527 kg)
• Loaded: 33,000 lb (15,000 kg)
• Max Takeoff: 48,700 lb (22,100 kg)
• Armament
• 20 mm JM61A1 cannon
• Capable of carrying up to 17,820 lb (8,085 kg) weapon load on 11 hard points.
• Possible Weapons
• Air-to-air - AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-7 Sparrow, Mitsubishi AAM-3, Mitsubishi AAM-4
• Air-to-ground - ASM-1 and ASM-2 anti-ship missiles