I’ve been interested in the Mitsubishi ATD-X tech demonstrator project ever since information about it first hit the Internet. I’ve heard it’s set to fly by 2011 (which I sincerely doubt), and all we know so far is from a few pictures of the full-scale radar mock-up and a few details about it (thrust vectoring paddles, apparent stealth shaping, internal weapons bay, looks like a hybrid of a ’15 and a ’22, might transform into a giant robot, etc. 😀 ).
I am quite curious what you guys think about this concept’s existence. Your opinions and personal predictions, otherwise. Do you think it be a success or bust? Is Japan capable of pulling this off in such a short timeframe? Will it ever fly at all? Should japan go ahead with this project, or hold out for more Raptors? Is it just a ploy to increase japan’s chances of getting the Raptor? Should Japan just scrap the whole idea and go for a different class of jet (Typhoon, F-35, etc)? Will it transform into a giant humanoid robot and go all Macross on the Raptor’s ass, or turn out to be a lemon? :p
And how do you think a jet like this would rival its neighbor’s fifth-generation projects? Furthermore, how could this jet (or some other jet like the F-22) affect the politics in the region?
Personally, I do not doubt Japan’s ability to get this thing flying. And I firmly believe that it would be a fine fighter jet. No Raptor, but a fine jet nonetheless. They learned plenty from developing the F-2; I do believe they now have the experience and tech to get something at least half-decent airborne. What I do question is Japan’s willingness to do so. Also, I kinda doubt they can get it airborne by 2011 at this point.
…well I will admit, my interest in this Jet mainly stems from the collision of my Fighter Jet enthusiasm and my Big-Japanese-Transforming-Robot-of-Awesomeness anime fanboyism. :p
Just Curious to hear your opinions and predictions.
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February 19, 2008 at 6:33 am