Japan succeeds in test flight of first stealth fighter jet

Stealth fail; I can see it quite clearly

Wait until it transforms into a robot!

The only country with credible stealth designs is USA. Russian and Chinese made some copies of F22, except you can't copy advanced manufacturing and materials. They are highly classified. china is desperate to get the technologies through smuggling/espionage

RADAR will pick up on them wheels baby, 'less you pull 'em up!

If it proves to be a highly capable stealth aircraft, you could probably say it's a massive success seeing as they only spent $332 million on it. I'd assume these types of fighter projects cost in the tens of billions

The X-2, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Better double check the MPG

The only country with credible stealth designs is USA. Russian and Chinese made some copies of F22, except you can't copy advanced manufacturing and materials.

Actually the US was copying the German Horten HO229 airplane, the first ever stealth fighter built in 1944.

Why is everyone still building jets anyhoo??

Isn't the way forward precision smart bombing and drone strikes?

OK...build some jets that can intercept stray aircraft that enters your territory. But why a stealth jet? Aren't they banned under Japans constitution? Not really defensive are they?

@cluelessApr. 22, 2016 - 06:32PM JST

Isn't the way forward precision smart bombing and drone strikes?

No the way forward is no weapon systems at all anymore Any other way is going back.

Excellent achievement by Japan's Mitsubishi. It should concentrate more on developing state of the art with cutting edge technology defense equipment to bolster Japan's preparedness to safeguard its interest in the fast changing competitive world and strengthen the cause of peace in its peripheral region.

Japan began the project in 2009 and has reportedly spent about 39.4 billion yen ($332 million) to develop the aircraft.

So the entire program so far costs less that a single F22 fighter ($361 million). Quite a bargain.

The inaugural flight, which followed extensive ground tests, had been postponed due to bad weather and malfunctions of parts used in its escape system.

What!! There are problems with some parts.............ie SAFETY............where are the protestors..............ahh forget about it!

Do not like conflict but I am a sucker for military aircraft. This looks amazing.

We congratulare Japan for Stealth aircraft test flight and we see that in the main countries presidental and parlamental election results are all in our interests during 2015, another proof of that the circumstances don't change anything at all, are you agree??,

Disgusting.

The plane may not look like much, but then it is more of a technology demonstrator than an actual development aircraft. I am looking forward to seeing this aircraft develop.

Japan has been a leading designer of the finest planes for many many years and this development is another good step in the independence and strength of Japan as a country and culture. There are many pressures to face in the East today and this is another important part of the defense of both Japan and the stability of the region. Well done.

So the entire program so far costs less that a single F22 fighter ($361 million). Quite a bargain.

What's the purpose though? Consider that it was only quite recently that Abe changed the interpretation of the constitution to allow the JDSF to participate in military actions not directly related to the defense of Japan.

He also made it possible for Japan to start selling military hardware and technology overseas, yet this plane was being developed years before that, and there is no real need for a stealth aircraft for national defense, when the US has superior aircraft ready to take care of it for Japan.

Aren't they banned under Japans constitution? Not really defensive are they?

Hypothetical: Warships from the hostile nation of Gilgamesh appear off the coast of Japan and begin shelling. Which aircraft would stand a better chance of repelling the attack, non-stealth jets, or stealth jets? ANY weapon platform could be defensive in nature depending on where it is deployed.

It's so cheap because it's only a technology demonstrator. For one thing the air-frame looks too small to put armaments on.

No doubt the cost of any combat aircraft they develop after this will be measured in the billions but congrats to MHI, they're doing well recently. (btw Mitsubishi Motors are no relation to MHI anymore except in name)

Again a display of government and big Japanese companies still living in the 1900, today you have drones, and the way forward would be to have package drones for mail and package delivery. Then just agree on a military grade control and security system for the drones. Then suddenly you would have a army ready at all times, but also used for normal everyday stuff to improve the economy. But nooo, with politicians and big companies still living in the 1940s Japan will continue to be stuck in a nice downwards spiral.

"Technological super power Japan, despite strict constitutional constraints on the use of military force imposed after World War II, has one of the world’s most advanced defense forces"

Could this be a contributing factor to Japan's enormous public debt?

After some time has passed, Mitsubishi will publicly apologize for falsifying the aircraft's stealth capability.......;)

Japan succeeds in test flight of first stealth fighter jet

Good job Japan. Now let the SEALD's protesters put "that" in their pipe & smoke it.

Nice one, Japan. Your technical expertise has never been in doubt. I write as an Englishman.

Keep it going Japan, happy for the achievement!

Nice step but they've said themselves that the final product would be much larger. It's still a long way from becoming reality.