Isn't this PAK FA in which India is putting money into it's program
After 5 years stealth fighters will be available in open market with TOT.
Japan is also working on Stealth Technology , i guess
The Mitsubishi ATD-X Shinshin is a state of the art prototype fifth-generation jet fighter that uses advanced stealth technology. Being developed by the Japanese Ministry of Defense Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) for research purposes. The main contractor of the project is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Many consider this aircraft as Japan's first domestically made stealth fighter ATD-X is an acronym meaning "Advanced Technology Demonstrator - X". The aircraft's Japanese name is 心神 (shin-shin) which means one's mind. The aircraft's first flight is scheduled for 2014.
Contents
[hide]
* 1 Development
* 2 Design
* 3 Specifications (ATD-X)
* 4 References
* 5 See also
* 6 External links
[edit] Development
Japan, which wants to replace its aging fighter fleet, has also made overtures to Washington on the possibility of purchasing the American F-22 stealth fighter.[1] However, the U.S. Congress has repeatedly banned the sale of the plane to any foreign government, in an attempt to safeguard the country's advanced technology, necessitating Japan to develop its own stealth fighter. In 2005, a mock-up of the ATD-X was used to study its radar cross section in France.[2][3] In 2006, a radio-controlled 1/5 scale model made its first flight to gain data on performance at high angles of attack, and to test new sensory equipment and self-repairing flight control systems.[3] Decision by the ministry to push ahead with the multi billion-yen project means developers will start working toward flight tests, with production in about 10 years, it said. The reports also say that there was a possible involvement of US Lockheed Martin in the development of ATD-X. The ATD-X is expected to achieve its maiden flight in 2014.[4]
[edit] Design
The design of the aircraft reflects those of several American fourth and fifth generation fighters, most notably the F-22 Raptor.[citation needed] The ATD-X will be used as a technology demonstrator and research prototype to determine whether domestic advanced technologies for a fifth generation fighter aircraft are viable, and is a 1/3 size model of a possible full-production aircraft.[5] The aircraft also features 3D thrust vectoring capability. Thrust is controlled in the ATD-X by the use of 3 paddles on each engine nozzle similar to the system used on the Rockwell X-31, while an axis-symmetric thrust vectoring engine is also being developed for the full scale production model.[5] The nozzles on the prototype appear to be uncovered and might have a slight adverse effect on the aircraft's stealth characteristics.[citation needed]
Among the features the ATD-X is to have is a fly-by-optics flight control system, which by substituting optical fibers for wires, allows data to be transferred faster and with immunity to electromagnetic disturbance.[5]
Its radar will be an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar called the 'Multifunction RF Sensor', which is intended to have broad spectrum agility, capabilities for electronic countermeasures (ECM), electronic support measures (ESM), communications functions, and possibly even microwave weapon functions.[5]
A further feature will be a so-called 'Self Repairing Flight Control Capability' (自己修復飛行制御機能
, which will allow the aircraft to automatically detect failures or damage in its flight control surfaces, and using the remaining control surfaces, calibrate accordingly to retain controlled flight.[3]
The JASDF is reported to have issued a request for information for engines in the 10 to 20 thousand pound thrust range to power the prototypes while Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries is to provide the engines for the completed fighter.[6]
[edit] Specifications (ATD-X)
Data from Miyakawa et al, 2008 [3]
General characteristics
* Crew: 1
* Length: 14.174 meters or 46.50 feet. ()
* Wingspan: 9.099 meters or 29.85 feet. ()
* Height: 4.514 meters or 14.80 feet. ()
* Max takeoff weight: 8 tonnes or 17,636 pounds. ()
* Powerplant: 2× IHI XF5-1.
o Dry thrust: 10 tonnes or 22,046 pounds. () each
o Thrust with afterburner: 15 tonnes or 33,069 pounds. () each
History always repeat itself , Japanies fighter were superior than Allied in WW2
Mitsubishi A6M Zero
At the beginning of the Pacific War no Allied fighter was a match for the Zero. The best of the early American Army fighters was probably the Curtiss P-40 and the early models of this fighter were distinctly inferior to the Zero.
Most of the Imperial Navy's top aces flew the Zero. Prominent among them is Saburo Sakai (with 64 victories), the top scoring Japanese ace to survive the war and Hiroyoshi Nishizawa (actual total of victories unknown, but 104 confirmed), perhaps the greatest of them all. Shoichi Sugita had 120+ victories, Tadashi Nakajima 75+ and Naoishi Kanno 53.
Not only could the Zero out fight any Allied fighter, it also out-ranged them. Many people do not realize that the Zero was the world's first long range escort fighter. Zeros flew long range bomber escort missions during the war in China, before the Pacific war even began. If the Germans had the long range A6M2 Zero instead of the short range Bf 109E, the outcome of the Battle of Britain might have been very different. As well known as the Zero is, its importance is still under rated by most people.
The Zero was designed by Jiro Horikoshi to fulfill Japanese Navy requirements for great range, rapid climb, high speed, and above all superior maneuverability. In order to get them, the Zero was designed with a very low wing loading; pilot armor and self sealing fuel tanks were dispensed with to save weight. Japanese fighter pilots gladly gave up such safety features in order to achieve a fighter with superior agility.
The Zero's performance fell off at high altitudes, but early in the war the American fighters that opposed it were even worse in that regard. At low and medium altitudes, nothing could touch the Zero.
The first production version of the Zero was the A6M2 Model 11, of 1940. This had a Nakajima Sakae 12 engine, a 14-cylinder air cooled radial that developed 950 hp. at 13,800 ft. The A6M2 had a top speed of 316 m.p.h. at 16,400 ft., and a range of 1,265 miles on internal fuel. With an under fuselage drop tank, the range was extended to 1,930 miles. The standard armament was 2-7.7mm MG in the engine cowling, and 2-20mm cannon in the wings. Wingspan was 39 ft. 5 in.
The similar Model 21 had folding wing tips for aircraft carrier use. This was the model on board the Japanese carriers at the beginning of the Pacific War on December 7, 1941.
The next main version of the Zero was the A6M3, which appeared late in 1942. This version was powered by an up rated 1,130 hp. Sakae 21 radial engine, with a two stage supercharger that improved high altitude performance. Top speed was increased to 336 m.p.h. at 19,865 ft. Best climb rate was 4,500 ft./min. Armament and range remained about the same.
The A6M3 Model 32 had clipped wing tips, achieved by removing the folding wing tips of the carrier model. This was intended to improve the roll rate, which was inferior to that of American fighters. This model also had reduced internal fuel capacity (down to 134 gal. from the 156 gal. capacity of the A6M3 Model 22). The Zero was beginning to show its age, and its performance was being eclipsed by the latest Allied fighters.
The reduced wing span (36 ft. 2 in.) of the Model 32 was carried over to the next model, the A6M5 of 1943. This model had the improved Sakai 31 engine with ejector exhaust stacks to augment thrust, the reduced wing span of the Model 32 (but with the familiar rounded shape of earlier Zeros), plus heavier wing skin. Speed was now up to 358 m.p.h. and dive limit speed to 410 m.p.h. Best climb rate was 3,340 ft./min. The A6M5a had an improved wing cannon, carried more ammunition and the dive limiting speed was raised to 460 m.p.h. These models still lacked any protection for the pilot, or even an emergency release for the canopy.
The A6M5b of 1944 finally addressed some of these problems. It had an armored glass windshield, automatic fire extinguishers for the fuel tanks and 12.7mm MG replacing the previous 7.7mm MG. By this time the overall performance of the Zero had fallen well below that of its major adversaries, the P-38J Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt, F6F Hellcat, P-51 Mustang and F4U Corsair.
The final version of the Zero was the A6M8c of 1945, which just reached production as the war ended. A new 1,560 hp. Kinsei 62 radial engine provided a top speed of 355 m.p.h. at 19,680 ft. and an improved climb rate.
By then, the Zero had fallen hopelessly behind in overall performance and more modern Japanese fighters were at last in production. However, the Zero remained the ultimate "turn and burn" dogfighter of the war. A total of 10,936 Zero fighters of all types were produced. More of the Zero story can be found in my article "The Mitsubishi A6M Zero." The specifications that follow are for the A6M5 Model 52 of 1943.
Wingspan:
36 ft. 2 in.
Length:
29 ft. 10 in.
Height:
9 ft. 2in.
Wing area:
238 sq./ft.
Engine:
Nakajima Sakai 21, 14 cylinder two row radial, 1,320 hp. at 2,600 r.p.m.
Max speed:
358 m.p.h. at 22,000 ft.
Best climb:
3,340 ft./min. at 8,000 ft.
Climb to:
20,000 ft., 7.8 min.
Service ceiling:
35,100 ft.
Range:
1,200 miles (internal fuel), 1,844 miles with drop tank.
Max weight:
10,600 lb..
Armament:
2-7.7mm fuselage MG, 2-20mm cannon in the wings
