https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_F-1
The Mitsubishi F-1 is Japan's first domestically developed and built supersonic
military jet. It was nicknamed "Supersonic Rei-Sen" (Rei-Sen being the Japanese
term for Mitsubishi's famed A6M "Zero" fighter of WWII). Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries and Fuji Heavy Industries jointly developed the F-1. At first glance,
it somewhat resembles the French/Anglo SEPECAT Jaguar, but was a completely
independent Japanese effort (although it uses the same engines). Its primary
role is anti-ship attack, secondary role is ground attack, and it has limited
air-to-air capabilities (short-range AIM-9 Sidewinder for self-defense).
In the mid 1960s, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) commenced studies
into an advanced jet trainer which could also be modified to serve in the ground
attack and anti-shipping roles. After considering license production of the T-38
Talon and SEPECAT Jaguar, Japan decided to develop its own trainer, the
supersonic Mitsubishi T-2, this first flying on 20 July 1971. Cost over-runs in
the T-2 program led to the proposed single seat attack version almost being
abandoned, but the cancellation of the Kawasaki P-XL, the planned replacement
for Japan's Kawasaki P-2J maritime patrol aircraft freed-up funds, while making
it important to keep Japan's aviation industry employed, and contracts were
awarded for the development of the attack version as the FS-T2kai in 1973.
The new aircraft was a minimum change derivative of the T-2, with the rear
cockpit being converted to an avionics bay by removing the rear seat, and
replacing the canopy with a simple unglazed access hatch. Two additional
hardpoints were fitted under the wing to allow carriage of a heavier weapon
load, and the avionics were improved, with a new J/AWG-12 radar set, similar to
that fitted in British Royal Air Force F-4M Phantom fighter jets. This set
provides ranging information. Aside from the avionics changes, deletion of the
rear seat, and new one-piece canopy, the only other major change from the T-2
was the strengthening of the airframe to enable it to carry a larger weapons
load than the T-2.
Role
close air support, ground-attack and anti-ship jet aircraft.
Manufacturer
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries / Fuji Heavy Industries
First flight
3 June 1975
Introduction
April 1978
Retired
March 2006
Status
Retired
Primary user
Japan Air Self Defense Force
Produced
1975-1987
Number built
77
Developed from
Mitsubishi T-2
The F-1 is fitted with an internally mounted 20 mm JM61A1 Vulcan cannon with 750
rounds of ammunition. The aircraft also has seven external hardpoints for the
carriage of a wide variety of stores. The fuselage hardpoint and inboard pair of
underwing hardpoints are "wet", which means they can be used to carry external
fuel tanks to increase the aircraft's range. The primary weapon of the F-1 is
the ASM-1 and the newer ASM-2 long-range anti-ship missile. This weapon is
roughly in the class of the American AGM-84 Harpoon or French AM.39 Exocet.
Other weapons carried include the all-aspect short-range heat-seeking AIM-9
Sidewinder air-to-air missile for air-to-air combat. This weapon is carried on
the wingtip rails usually, but it can also be carried on the outboard underwing
hardpoints for the F-1's secondary air defense role. Other air-to-ground weapons
carried include rocket pods (JLAU-3/A) of 70 mm (2.75 in) size as well as bombs
of 227 kg (500 lb) and 340 kg (750 lb) in size (Mk82 and M117 respectively). In
addition, the Mk-82 and M117 bombs can be fitted with infrared guidance kits,
turning them into precision-guided weapons that home in on heat radiation
emitted from seaborne targets such as ships or other ground-based targets. When
fitted with this kit, the bomb becomes known as GCS-1.
The F-1 was replaced by the F-2 (Japan/U.S. developed, based on F-16C/D), as
well as upgraded F-4EJ "Kai" Phantom IIs. The last six active F-1s, based at
Tsuiki in Fukuoka Prefecture, were retired on 9 March 2006, having reached the
4,000 hour limit of their airframes.
Specifications (F-1)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 17.86 m (58 ft 7 in)
Height: 4.48 m (14 ft 8? in)
Empty weight: 6,358 kg (14,017 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 13,674 kg (30,146 lb)
lbf) each
Thrust with afterburner: 35.6 kN (7,305 lbf) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 1,700 km/h (918 knots, 1,056 mph) at 11,000 m (36,100 ft) (clean)
Combat radius: 556 km (483 nmi, 346 mi) High-Low-High profile with two ASM-1
missiles and one 830 L (183 Imp gallon) drop tank
Ferry range: 2,870 km (1,552 nmi, 1,785 mi) (max external fuel)
Service ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 118 m/s (35,000 ft/min)
Climb to 11,000 m (36,100 ft): 2.0 min
Armament
Hardpoints: One, centerline, four underwing and two wingtip missile rails
Bombs: Various bombs, air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles and rocket pods on
four underwing, two wingtip, and one underfuselage pylon. Weapons carried
include AIM-9 Sidewinder, Mitsubishi AAM-1, Mitsubishi Type 80 Air-to-Ship
Missile/Type 93 Air-to-Ship Missile anti-ship missiles, JLAU-3A 70 mm rocket
pods, RL-7 70 mm rockets, RL-4 125 mm rockets, Mk-82 500 lb and M117 750 lb
bombs, and GCS-1, IR-guided versions of the Mk-82 and M117
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