JB-04 JASDF MITSUBISHI F-1 SUPPORT FIGHTER

In the 1960s, the Japanese owned several high-end fighter planes, including the F-104J Starfighter and the F-4EJ Phantom II. The basic training was provided by Fuji T-1 subsonic training jets, which were nothing more than the Japanese redesigned two-seater version of the F-86 Saber. After completing the basic training, the young pilots had to switch to a supersonic plane and face the challenge of the two-seater versions of the supersonic Starfighters and Phantom fighters. To bridge the gap between the T-1 and the supersonic aircraft, the Japanese Defense Air Force (JASDF: Japan Air Self-Defense Force) needed a more advanced aircraft to introduce pilots to the fighter-in-lead trainer training phase. In the late 1960s, the Japanese considered purchasing an Anglo-French fighter-bomber Jaguar, but abandoned it due to too high a cost. Therefore, it came as no surprise when the final design of the supersonic plane presented by Mitsubishi was very similar to the Sepecat Jaguar plane. In 1970, work began on the first of four prototypes of this aircraft, designated XT-2. On July 20, 1971, the XT-2 prototype made its first flight. After successful air tests in 1973, the first batch of 20 of these machines was ordered. Deliveries began in 1975, and after several more orders, the last of the 96 aircraft ordered were delivered in 1988. Already during the development of the T-2, it was decided to use this single-seater aircraft for assault tasks on land and sea. The sixth and seventh T-2s were modified to be used as prototypes of the Mitsubishi F-1. In the rear of the cabin there are additional electronic equipment covered with a metal cover. The first flight on the FS-T-2, because that was how the first two Mitsubishi planes were marked, was made on June 3, 1975. Between 1977 and 1984, 77 F-1s were ordered, the last one left the Nagoya-Komaki factory in 1987. During the years of operation of this aircraft, only five machines were lost in air accidents. The T-2 entered service in two versions: 34 unarmed T-2Zs and 62 armed T-2Ks. Both the T-2K and F-1 have 20mm JM61 cannons mounted in the lower part of the front of the fuselage. The F-1 has four hooks under the wings for attaching fuel tanks, free-falling bombs or containers with unguided missiles. For self-defense, the F-1 pilot can use its four suspension points for AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. Although the plane was designed as an attack, the JASDF has F-1 planes that can carry a set of four Sidewinder missiles (QRA status). One of the main applications of the F-1 is the ability to use it to attack in sea conditions. Due to the limitations of the defense doctrine in force in the JSADF, this task is for the F-1 aircraft to combat the fleet of ships making hostile landings. T-2 planes flew in two training squadrons of Matshushima air base. In 1982, the Blue Impulse aerobatic demonstration team of the Japanese Defense Air Force, also based in Matshushima, received seven of these planes to replace the old F-86 Sabers. Unfortunately, one of the blue-painted T-2s (# 19-5174) crashed on November 14, 1982 during a demonstration at Hamamatsu base. The team's flights were immediately suspended, but resumed soon in 1983. In 1995, the T-2 of the Blue Impulse team replaced the T-4 training planes. In the fall of 1987, a decision was made to withdraw the F-1 aircraft. The FS-X, a plane very similar to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, was selected as the successor.