Japan and the US to develop the next generation fighter - led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and supported by Lockheed

 Recently Nihon Keizai Shimbun Electronic Edition reported the following:

次期戦闘機を日米で開発　三菱重主導、ロッキードが支援

【イブニングスクープ】

北米

2020年12月11日 18:00 [有料会員限定]

政府が2035年の配備をめざす次期戦闘機の開発体制の大枠が固まった。三菱重工業を開発主体として、米防衛大手でF35などの開発実績をもつロッキード・マーチンが技術支援する。日米企業が協力して開発し、自衛隊と米軍が一体運用する最新鋭機となる。中国の軍事的台頭など緊迫する東アジア情勢をにらみ、日米同盟の連携を深める。

防衛省が近く公表する。今月下旬に閣議決定する2021年度予算案に構想設計費を盛り込み、同社の支援を受けて性能や開発費を詰める。

次期戦闘機は日米が共同開発した航空自衛隊のF2戦闘機の後継にあたる。防衛省は約90機を生産する計画で、配備までの総事業規模は5兆円を超すとの見方がある。

政府は18年末にまとめた中期防衛力整備計画（中期防）で日本の防衛産業を中心に次期戦闘機を開発すると記した。日本企業主導が実現すれば、1970年代に三菱重が開発したF1戦闘機以来となる。

防衛省によると中国は主力と位置づける「第4世代」の戦闘機を1000機超保有する。10年で3倍に増やした。相手のレーダーに探知されにくいステルス性能を備えた「第5世代」の配備も着々と進める。ロシアも第5世代機の導入を目指しており、大型の攻撃用無人機も開発中だ。

こうした動向を踏まえ、次期戦闘機は艦船や地上への攻撃、空中戦を全てこなす「マルチロール機」と位置づける。ステルス性能や、電磁波の妨害を受けても作戦を続けられる能力を備える。中国やロシアが最新鋭機の配備を進めているのに対応する。

防衛省は今年10月、開発主体として三菱重と契約した。同社が機体の設計やシステムの統合を担う。エンジンはIHI、機体はSUBARU、レーダーは東芝や富士通、電子戦装備を制御するミッションシステムは三菱電機などがそれぞれ担当する想定だ。

日本は40年以上、国内企業主導で戦闘機を開発していないため、技術支援にあたる外国企業の選定も進めてきた。防衛省は11月までにロッキードと米ボーイング、英BAEシステムズの3社に絞り(1)レーダーやミサイルなどのシステム統合力(2)高いステルス性と運動能力(3)効率的な開発技術――の面から評価した。

ロッキードを選んだ理由は開発実績と日米の同盟関係だ。世界最強と評されるF22やF35を開発し、ステルス技術にも定評がある。主に機体設計やシステム統合の面で三菱重に協力する。

開発時には日米のインターオペラビリティー（相互運用性）を重視する。有事に備え、次期戦闘機は米軍の主力のF22やF35とデータを連結させ、共同で作戦を展開しやすくする。

ロッキードは日本への提案にあたり、米ノースロップ・グラマンと連携した。ノースロップは複数の戦闘機で情報を結びつける「データリンク」やセンサーに強い。ロッキードと組むとノースロップの技術支援も受けやすくなる利点もある。

個々の構成部品は日本と防衛技術の研究で協力関係を構築している英国の企業との連携も探る。BAEは電磁波を使い相手の攻撃を防ぐ電子戦技術に強みがある。

次期戦闘機の開発を日本主導で進める背景には、国内企業のイノベーションや新産業育成につなげる思惑もある。

防衛産業のなかでも戦闘機の関連産業の裾野は広く、1機種あたりの製造に約1000社が関わるとされる。必要となる技術は高出力エンジンから赤外線センサー、軽くて丈夫な機体、情報システムと多岐にわたり、それぞれに高度な技術力が求められる。日本主導での開発を通じ、最先端分野でのイノベーション創出を狙う。

Translation

The outline of the development order for the next fighter aircraft, which the government aimed to deploy in 2035, was set. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries would be the main developer, and Lockheed Martin, a major US defense company with a track record of developing F35s, would provide technical support. To be developed by Japanese and US companies in cooperation, this aircraft would be a state-of-the-art machine operated by the Self-Defense Forces and the US military together as a single entity. In light of the tense situation in East Asia, such as the rise of China's military, cooperation between the Japan-US alliance would be deepened.

The Ministry of Defense might announce this soon. The concept design cost could be included in the 2021 budget draft to be decided by the Cabinet later this month; and with the support of the company, the performance and development costs would be worked out.

The next fighter would be the successor to the F2 fighter of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, which was jointly developed by Japan and the United States. The Ministry of Defense planned to produce about 90 aircrafts, and it was estimated that the total business scale of this project until the stage of deployment could exceed 5 trillion yen.

The government had stated in a medium-term defense capability development plan (Chūki bō) compiled at the end of 2018 that it would develop the next fighter aircraft centered on the Japanese defense industry. If led by a Japanese company, it would be the first since F1 fighter developed by Mitsubishi Heavy in the 1970s.

According to the Ministry of Defense, China had more than 1,000 "fourth generation" fighters that was considered to be its mainstay. It was tripled in 10 years. It also steadily deployed the "5th generation" with stealth performance that was difficult for the other party's radar to detect. Russia was also aiming to introduce a fifth-generation aircraft, and was also developing large unmanned aircrafts for attack missions.

Based on these trends, the next fighter would be positioned as a "multi-role aircraft" that could handle all attacks on ships and ground, and also as a “Multi-role machine" that handled all aerial battles. This fighter had stealth performance and the ability to continue operations even if it was disturbed by electromagnetic waves. It was a response to China and Russia deployment of their state-of-the-art aircrafts.

In October of this year, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the main developer. This company would be responsible for the design of the fuselage and the integration of the system. It was assumed that IHI would be in charge of the engine, Subaru would be in charge of the fuselage, Toshiba and Fujitsu would be in charge of the radar while Mitsubishi Electric and others would be in charge of the mission system that controlled the electronic warfare equipment.

As Japan had not developed fighter aircrafts under the initiative of domestic companies for more than 40 years, it was now promoting the selection of foreign companies for technical assistance. By November, the Ministry of Defense had narrowed down three companies to Lockheed and Boeing in the US, and BAE Systems in the UK based on evaluation from aspects of: (1) System integration capabilities such as radar and missiles (2) High stealth and moving ability (3) Efficient development technology.

The reason for choosing Lockheed was its development record and the Japan-US alliance. It had developed the world's strongest F22 and F35, and had a good reputation for stealth technology. It would cooperate with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries mainly in terms of fuselage design and system integration.

During the time of development, emphasis would be placed on inter-operability between Japan and the United States. In preparation for an emergency, the next fighter could connect data with the US military's mainstay F22 and F35, making it easier to jointly develop fighting operations.

Lockheed collaborated with Northrop Grumman on its proposal to Japan. Northrop was strong in "data links" and sensors that connect information with multiple fighters. Working with Lockheed also has the advantage of being more likely to receive Northrop's technical assistance.

On Individual components, collaboration with British companies that were building cooperative relationships with Japan in defense technology would be explored. BAE had strengths in electronic warfare technology that used electromagnetic waves to prevent opponents from attacking.

Behind the development of the next fighter aircraft to be led by Japan was the speculation that it might lead to innovation in domestic companies and the development of new industries.

Within the defense industries, the fighter aircraft-related industries were wide spread, and it was said that about 1000 companies would be involved in the manufacture of each model of fighter. The required technologies ranged from high-power engines to infrared sensors, light and durable airframes, and information systems, each of them required advanced technological capabilities. Through this Japan-led development, the aim was to create innovation in the cutting-edge fields.

              So, this project shows that between the US and Japan there is a strong connection and trust. The research and development data of this next generation jet fighter could probably be a target for spying by other interested countries.