Japanese Projects

[Sentinel Chicken]

A fellow aviation collector I know in Japan posted this image to our forum and he tells me that it was some sort of full-size RCS test model for a proposed Japanese fighter design. I've never seen anything like this in the press before but it appears to be some sort of F-22-based model with what looks like a tandem cockpit.

Does this represent an ongoing development program or is this just an RCS study?

[Deino]

Hmmm ... I agree with You it was a very big surprise when this picture was released for the first time, but since it can be found on the TRDI-site it seems quite real. 

http://www.jda-trdi.go.jp/topics.html

What was discussed at the Keymags-forum here and "tarou-o" told us, that this is a pure RCS-model (similar to the British Replica) which will maybe lead to a flyable demonstrator called ATD-X:

This text says it is RCS test frame, not ATD-X.
It also says reduction model will fly by remote control this year.

ATD-X's first test flight will be in 2011.
ATD-X is expected to include 3DTVC, co-cured composites, radar-absorbent materials, digital fly-by-light and Integrated Flight Propulsion Control.
Avionics to include conformal radar, IR seeker and Rader Datalink ESM.

http://www.sjac.or.jp/kaihou/200507/boueisoubi_3.pdf

Here's another diagram in Japanese.

Cheers, Deino   

[Sentinel Chicken]

Got any pictures of the ATD-X, Andreas?

I'm also curious as to the planned powerplant- 3DTVC and the layout shown in that diagram suggest to me a signle engine......

[Deino]

Sorry not ... that's all I have about this project and I was quite surprised that this pic has been released as yet !

I have some models of older Japanese projects like configurations under study for an indigenous FSX and a follow on replacement for the F-15J !

Here You go ....

Deino   


PS: Maybe we can re-name that tread to "Japanese projects"

[Sentinel Chicken]

The original FS-X design seems to owe a lot to the Hornet 2000 proposal, doesn't it? Particularly that fourth image- aside from the wedge intakes and shorter nose, I might have thought that was the Hornet 2000 proposal......

[Matej]

Original FS-X was an early Eurofighter like with two vertical tails, but it was too ambitious and too expensive.  Than japanese government decided to modify existing aircraft (F-15, F-16, F/A-18 and Tornado were considered). For example SX-3 looks like F-16CCV and FX-4 like two engined F-16. Deino posted F/A-18 derivate.

My first picture shows Mitsubishi F-1X proposal and second is probably the source of a lot of japanese YF-23 what ifs - scaled down test model for self recovery flight control system from JDA TRDI.

This will be my new web update but as usual - I dont have enoug time to finish it 

[Deino]

Original FS-X was an early Eurofighter like with two vertical tails, but it was too ambitious and too expensive.  Than japanese government decided to modify existing aircraft (F-15, F-16, F/A-18 and Tornado were considered). For example SX-3 looks like F-16CCV and FX-4 like two engined F-16. Deino posted F/A-18 derivate.

Very interesting !!! Do You have any pictures or drawings of thse FX-configurations

Thanks in advance, Deino 

[Sentinel Chicken]

Looking at that RCS model again more closely, it seems that there's two engines and maybe external paddles for thrust vectoring like the X-31?

[Sentinel Chicken]

Here's a profile I whipped up to give ATD-X some "life":



I'm going with a more F-22 style thrust vectoring exhaust and twin engines than my original supposition of X-31 style paddles (which wouldn't be very stealthy anyway).

[TinWing]

It seems that a 50kN (dry rating?) turbofan was proposed for the FI-X technology demonstrator? 

Was development terminated, or does Japan have an ongoing combat engine development program?

[Matej]

Deino: Some drawings you can find in original release of Stealth Warplanes from Doug Richardson. I have updated second version, where is only a photo of the real F-2 fighter.

Sentinel Chicken: nice

TinWing: This engine was called XF-7. Development started in the mid 1990s, first engine was delivered for a ground testing in june 1998 and probably will by flight tested in 2007.

[TinWing]

TinWing: This engine was called XF-7. Development started in the mid 1990s, first engine was delivered for a ground testing in june 1998 and probably will by flight tested in 2007.

Actually, I was refering to a 50kN low bypass ratio turbofan that was supposed to power the FI-X demonstrator.

The IHI XF-7 has a high bypass ratio of 8:1.  Come to think about it, IHI started planning a high bypass ratio turbofan for the cancelled late 70s PX-L and an engine of that description flew in the mid-80s 4 engined, engine-over-wing STOL prototype that was based on the C-1.

Is the XF-7 really such a new concept, or just the continuation of a 30 year old lineage?

[Matej]

From Stealth Warplanes, Dough Richardson (ISBN 0-7603-1051-3) pg. 99:

"The experience gained with the F-2 has given the Japanese aerospace industry the confidence to embark on an ambitious project to develop an indigenous FI-X nextgeneration fighter to replace the F-15J. This was expected to be around 44ft (13.4m) long and 30ft (9.1m) in wingspan, with a fuselage made from composites and incorporating radarabsorbent materials. An ambitious avionics suite was
planned, including a conformal radar and an electro-optical sensor, plus digital fly-by-light and digital engine-control systems. Development of a suitable ll,240 lb (5,100kg) class turbofan was started in the mid-1990s, and the first XF-7 engine was delivered for ground testing in
June 1998. Construction of prototype aircraft was due to start around 2000, but the programme has been stretched in timescale. Flight tests of the XF-7 engine have been delayed until 2007, and no date has been given for prototype construction."

So I thought that this was what you were writing about.

[Matej]

Nice to have a lot of friends :-) SX-3 scanned for me from first edition of Stealth Warplanes.

[TinWing]

Here is a .pdf that has pics of the P-X, C-X, HondaJet and XF-7 turbofan"

http://www.missioneco.org/documents/119/117583.pdf