Japan Defence Forum

[Aepsilons]

Japan Plans to Explore Martian Moons With Asteroid-Probing Tech

Countries are scrambling to get to Mars in a good ol’ fashioned space race. But focus might be shifting to the red planet’s two moons. According to reports, Japan announced plans yesterday to bring its asteroid-probing technology to the tiny Martian satellites.

JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, says it wants to scope out Phobos and Deimos, Mars’ two moons, as early as 2022. It’ll nab samples that’ll tell us about Martian history and help us prepare for future manned missions to the planet itself. JAXA plans to build upon the tech it used with its history-making Hayabusa probe. In 2010, Hayabusa became the first probe ever to land on asteroids, collect dust samples, and ship ‘em back to Earth.

JAXA’s announcement comes at a time in which Phobos and Deimos are budding celestial celebrities. Last week, Space.com reported NASA’s conceptual plan to build a base on the ten-mile-wide Phobos that could allow for easier, cheaper, less risky human access to Mars. Back in 2011, Russia had its own plans to reach Phobos, but failed.

Hayabusa-like asteroid-combing technology could prove useful in finding out more about the two moons’ origins, as well. They’re small and kinda lumpy, and resemble asteroids more than moons. This leads some scientists to think Phobos and Deimos were pulled into Mars’ orbit from the asteroid belt.

P.S.: “Phobos” means “fear” and “Deimos” means “panic,” which aren’t great omens—but the moons’ role in human space exploration seems to be becoming more key.

Japan Plans to Explore Martian Moons With Asteroid-Probing Tech

 

[Indos]

Given the rapid pace at which China is developing it's Armed Forces ,especially the Air Force and the Naval Air Arm, I thought it would be pertinent at this juncture to start a thread that specifically caters to the Japanese Air Force and Aerospace Capabilities.

@Nihonjin1051

It has become sticky Thread now

Congrats ............

 

[Aepsilons]

@Nihonjin1051

It has become sticky Thread now

Congrats ............

This would not have been possible without the tireless workings of Sir @Indus Falcon and Madam @Transhumanist . Let's give credit to them , bro!

MERDEKA !

 

[Indus Falcon]

This would not have been possible without the tireless workings of Sir @Indus Falcon and Madam @Transhumanist . Let's give credit to them , bro!

MERDEKA !

Lets not forget @SvenSvensonov his contribution has been invaluable for this thread as well.

 

[mil-avia]

T-2 jet planes and Mount Fuji :

Related link(s).

 

[mil-avia]

FSX Flight Test Team insignia :

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[Indus Falcon]

Is Japan Facing a Shortage of Fighter Aircraft?
Tokyo needs to step up its modernization efforts, otherwise the JASDF might face an aircraft shortage in the 2020.
By Franz-Stefan Gady
June 09, 2015

Japan’s Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) might face a shortage of fighter jets in the 2020, unless Tokyo accelerates upgrading its fleet of legacy aircraft and expands the scope of current modernization efforts, Defense News reports.

Japan is the largest customer of the F-15 all-weather air superiority fighter outside the United States and had 223 planes built under license by Japanese defense contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It also fields 94 Mitsubishi F-2, a 4.5th generation multirole fighter based on Lockheed Martin’s F-16, as well as approximately 70 F-4 Phantom II jets.

While Phantom II jets are already being slowly phased out, the retirement of the JASDF’s F-15 and F-2 fleets will begin in the 2020s, although some of the F-15s could potentially remain in service until the 2030s.

However, despite the JASF investing in extensive fighter upgrades – “including modifying eight units of its F-15 fleet and improving air-to-air combat capabilities of its F-2”, according to Defense News – the JASDF might be confronted by a shortage of fighter jets in a few years.

“[T]he JASDF could face a severe force structure crunch in the next decade,” states Richard Aboulafia, vice president, analysis, at the Teal Group, citing the slow pace and the small numbers of planes currently being upgraded.

Aboulafia, however, does praise the JASDF’s decision to procure 42 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters back in December 2011, the first of which the JASDF is scheduled to receive at the end of 2016:

It’s tough to compare the F-35 with other planes. The traditional performance metrics of speed and time-to-climb, maneuverability, range, and payload don’t look particularly great. It does offer stealth and much greater sensor capabilities, and sensor fusion. In effect, going with the F-35 means an air service is comfortable with a stealthy, very well connected combat hub, rather than a traditional hot rod bristling with weaponry. But given their sensor and situational awareness attributes, even having a few score of them will provide a meaningful enhancement of the JASDF’s capabilities.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter procurement is an interim solution until Tokyo can field its own indigenous fifth generation fighter. The Japanese Ministry of Defense Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) is currently working on developing an indigenous stealth fighter aircraft, the Mitsubishi ATD-X Shinshin. However, the plane is not supposed to enter service until the late 2020s and Aboulafia does not believe that 42 planes will suffice for the JASDF’s needs and the slow modernization pace and lack of alternatives “almost guarantees further F-35 procurement,” he notes.

Yet Defense News quotes an unnamed Japan-based defense analyst who emphasizes that replacing the F-15 will remain a problem – despite the acquisitions of F-35 Join Strike Fighters – and that the aircraft might have to remain in service for longer than planned:

The F-2 is a terrible aircraft, just ask the JASDF. It needs to be mothballed and the money being spent on it moved over to F-15. But there is no replacement for F-15. The F-22 would have been that replacement [and would have meant Japan would not have bought the F-35]. Japan’s F-15s have decades of fatigue life left on them. They just have to spend money on the internal organs. The USAF is going to fly their Eagles in an air superiority role until 2040. Japan has the opportunity to work directly with the USAF to reduce costs and develop the technologies both countries need.

Is Japan Facing a Shortage of Fighter Aircraft? | The Diplomat

 

[Indus Falcon]

Japanese F35 Mockup

F15J

YS-11B

Retired JASDF F104

F-104J "683" (76-8683) 205 squadron JASDF at Komatsu AB ready for a "dart-tow" mission 1979

construction number 683B-3183, model 683-07-14, JASDF serial number 76-8683, built by Mitsubishi

 

[mil-avia]

Former JASDF F-104J Starfighter Restored in Japan

 

[mil-avia]

XF5-1 engine and cutaway views of ATD-X aircraft :

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[mil-avia]

Types of JASDF aircraft (not to scale) :

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[Aepsilons]

Lockheed to Support Atago-Class Ship Upgrades Through 2017


The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has obligated $69.7 million in funds for Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) to continue to support ongoing Aegis software and equipment updates to Japan’s Atago-class guided missile destroyers.

The Defense Department said Tuesday work will occur in Washington, D.C., New Jersey and Japan through May 2017.

Lockheed to Support Atago-Class Ship Upgrades Through 2017

GE to Provide IHI with LM2500 Gas Turbines for Japan’s New 26DD Destroyer



EVENDALE, Ohio — GE Marine will provide IHI, Tokyo, with two LM2500 aeroderivative marine gas turbines for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force’s (JMSDF) new 26DD destroyer, the company announced in a June 1 release.

“GE gas turbines already are part of numerous JMSDF ship classes, most recently the 22DDH, which is already commissioned, and the 24DDH, which is now under construction,” said Brien Bolsinger, vice president for Marine Operations, GE Marine. “As with previous contracts, IHI will handle in-country design, manufacture and testing of the LM2500 propulsion modules for the 26DD program. We are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with the JMSDF and IHI.”

The LM2500 remains GE’s most popular gas turbine, used by 32 navies to power more than 400 ships worldwide. The current global LM2500 fleet totals more than 2,500 engines operating in diverse marine and industrial applications. Including the 26DD program, the JMSDF uses LM2500 and LM500 gas turbines for its Kongou-, Murasame-, Atago-, Hyuga- and Izumo-class ships. To date, IHI has packaged, tested and delivered over 70 LM2500 and more than 30 LM500 marine gas turbines.

The GE LM2500 gas turbines for the 26DD destroyer will be equipped with integrated electronic controls, and will be arranged in a combined gas turbine-electric and gas turbine configuration. IHI will deliver the LM2500 propulsion modules to MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works in 2017.


SEAPOWER Magazine Online

 

[mil-avia]

F-4EJ warplanes and Mount Fuji :

1280 × 851 pixels


Related link(s).

 

[mike2000 is back]

@Nihonjin1051 what were your military officials thinking?

Australian senator slams Japan over submarine capability comments.

By Matt Siegel
SYDNEY, JUNE 4 | Wed Jun 3, 2015 9:12pm EDT
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By Matt Siegel

SYDNEY, June 4 (Reuters) - An influential Australian senator on Thursday hit out at Japanese defence officials over comments that Australia was incapable of building a version of a high-tech Japanese-designed submarine at home.

Germany's ThyssenKrupp and France's state-controlled naval contractor DCNS separately are competing with a Japanese government-led bid for Australia's A$50 billion ($38.84 billion) next generation submarine project.

Japan, which had been the front-runner in the planned sale of about 12 vessels to replace Australia's ageing Collins class submarines, is under pressure to build at least some of the boats in South Australia.

But on Wednesday, the former commander of the Japanese submarine fleet, Masao Kobayashi, cast doubt on Australia's ability to build them.

"They don't have enough skilled workers to fashion the high-tension steel; it's even hard to do in Japan," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Another Japanese submarine captain, Toshihide Yamauchi, raised concern to the ABC about Australia's ability to safeguard sensitive Japanese intellectual property.

"We're worried about leaks to China once our technology is in Australia," he said.

Independent South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon hit back over the comments, calling them a "disgrace".

"It's widely known that both the German and French teams are ready, willing and able to build state-of-the-art, ultra-reliable submarines on Australian soil," Xenophon said.

"The Japanese appear to be trying to find excuses to have $50 billion worth of Australian taxpayers' money spent largely entirely in Japan."

A deal to supply a variant of Japan's 4,000 tonne Soryu-class submarine would give Japan its first major overseas deals after Abe eased curbs on arms exports last year that had isolated defence contractors for seven decades.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is eager to deepen security ties with Japan, reflecting a U.S. desire for its two allies to take a bigger security role in Asia as China's military might grows.

Eager for that deeper cooperation, the United States is backing the Japanese-built submarine packed with American surveillance, radar and weapons equipment, sources familiar with Washington's thinking have told Reuters.

But Abbott is facing intense domestic political pressure to secure the thousands of manufacturing jobs that the build would bring, and Japan had previously seemed willing to compromise over where the submarines would be built.

Xenophon said the comments showed that Japan was not ready to take part in the biggest defence procurement project in Australian history.

"The Japanese have not exported submarines before and these comments show that they are simply out of their depth," he said. ($1 = 1.2875 Australian dollars) (Editing by Robert Birsel).

Australian senator slams Japan over submarine capability comments

 

[Moon]

The Kriegsmarine , like the JMSDF, is a silent yet powerful force. The Germans have the capability to rearm and be a game changer in the European region, when Deutschland does reorient their policies.....then you will see the realiZation of their potential.

I disagree,I bet you will "Nazi" that coming punpunpunpunpunpunpunpunpunpunpunpunpunpun