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The F-1 is the first supersonic support fighter developed in Japan after the WWII, based on the advanced supersonic trainer T-2. And the T-2 is developed from JAGUAR in 1971. Mitsubishi is the primary contractor of both aircrafts. T-2 is used for training in JASDF(Japanese Air Self Defence Force), first flight in 20th Jul, 1971. T-2`s powerplant are two Ishikawajima-Harima TF40-IHI-801A augmented turbofan engines, based on Rolls Roys/Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour Mk801 A. The thrust is 22.7KN and maxiume 32.5KN. Both pilots have ES-7J zero-zero eject seats. T-2 has a Mitsubishi Eletonics J/AWG-11 search/range detection radar in the head, Mitsubishi Eletonics HUD based on Thomson-CSF design, Mitsubishi Eletonics J/ARC-51 radio, NEC J/ARN-53 TAKAN, J/APX-101 IFF & Lipton 5010BL navigation consultation system. The weapons of T-2 contain: one 20mm JM61 Vulcan six-barrel cannon with 750 rounds. There are five external hardpoints and two wing tip stations. T-2 can carry 2722 kg (6,000 lb) of disposable stores, including AAMs, ASMs, free-fall or guided bombs, rocket-launcher pods, drop tanks and ECM pods.
The F-1 is a tactical support fighter version of the T-2. Facing the USSR fleets in Pacific, the F-1 is mainly design for carrying anti-ship missiles, such as AMS-1 & ASM-2, to destroy the USSR warships, as well as other combat missions. The original model's first flight was in 1975. Starting in 1976, a total of 77 units have been delivered and manufactured. The main difference between F-1 & T-2 is that F-1 only has one pilot. Now the F-1 fighters are deployed at Misawa Air Base. Since 1978, Mitsubishi had produced 77 F-1s for JASDF. The weapon system of F-1 is simliar to the T-2. The typical misson for F-1 is to carry two ASM-1 anti-ship missiles & one 830kg fuel tank, proceeding HI-LO-LO-HI anti-ship mission, radius 550km. If use LO-LO section, the radius is down to 370km. In all the missions, two AIM-9 missile are carried.
ASM-1
In Apr 1986, JASDF announced to increase the service life of F-1 from 3500hr to 4500hr, for 3 more service years. And a auto-piloting system would be added, as well as the AIM-9L missile. The windshield is modified to withstand the midium size bird strike in 926km/hr speed.
The T-2 CCV testing plane.
Length 58 feet, 7 inches (17.85 meters)
Empty weight 6360 kilograms |
A total of 96
T-2 units, including the test models, have been manufactured until
the end of production in 1988. Five of the T-2s is in the "TOP-GUN"
units of JASDF, and some in the Blue Impulse Air Stunt Team. The T-2
is in fact not only a trainer, but also a powerful air-to-surface
striker. The disadvantage of it is the avionics is limited for combat
missions. Now T-2s are deployed in 4nd Wing / 21st Squadron ,Matsushima
AB 4nd Wing / 22st Squadron ,Matsushima AB.
