What Happened To Mitsubishi’s X-2 Stealth Fighter Jet?

An Experimental Plane

While gradually increasing the number of F-35 stealth fighters, Japan is pursuing a new fighter jet by joint development with the United Kingdom and Italy.

This project known as “GCAP (Global Combat Air Program)” or “the F-3 Fighter Program” intends to incorporate cutting edge technologies from all three nations,  aiming for a superior fighter that can dominate the skies.

But, there was a prototype that was viewed by many people to be the first Japanese stealth fighter – the Mitsubishi X-2 “Shinshin.”

• General Overview 

The X-2 was a stealth plane developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for the purpose of testing new aviation technologies.

With over 220 companies taking part in the development and 90% of the components being domestically produced, the X-2 was given the name “Shinshin” which translates to something like “the embodiment of Japan.”

Contrary to most beliefs, the X-2 was designed solely for experimental use, providing necessary data for future fighter programs, and was actually never intended to be mass-produced as a fighter jet.

The X-2 is not equivalent to the F-3 fighter, but the two are related in the sense that the lessons and feedback would certainly be utilized by the future program.

The X-2 in flight (photo: JASDF)

By incorporating new engines and flight control systems, the X-2 was capable of demonstrating high maneuvers even under circumstances that a normal plane would stall.

The engines were especially significant since it not only made the X-2 a reliable jet plane, but because the engineering itself greatly contributed to Japan’s engine development. Jet engines are still regarded as a weak-point among the Japanese aviation industry, mostly due to the postwar blank period where jet engines were banned by the occupation forces.

Hence, the X-2 project provided a rare opportunity to catch up to the world, resulting in a domestic engine producing 5 tons of thrust, and the technology was later used for the P-1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Moreover, the X-2 was the first Japanese aircraft to try out full-scale stealth technologies. Through a combination of stealth designs and new radar absorbent materials, the X-2’s only appears on the radar screen in a size no larger than an insect.

Such stealth results were beneficial for both future developments and testing the limits of existing radar units.

Mission Accomplished

As an experimental jet plane, only one X-2 was ever made and operated by JASDF’s Air Development and Test Wing (Gifu Airbase). After conducting 32 flights and numerous on-the-ground tests, the X-2 fulfilled its original purpose and is currently used for testing the latest stealth technologies.

The X-2 is surely still flyable and too good to waste, so it is likely to continue serving as JASDF’s only stealth experiment plane.