JASDF Mothra

Initially replace F4, if vapourware Japanese VLO air superiority aircraft appears then Mothra would take on all second line roles

Two possible flavours
1. Based on Phoon
or
2. Based on F16XL

In either case:
2 seats
J10 style DSI
TVC and IR suppression
No dorsal vertical stabiliser (‘tail’)
AESA

It’d be far better to have 56 F-35s than a mix totalling 55, and just keep the training as it has been done in the past.

Presumably that depends on how we define ‘better’

Single ship type reducing supply train
Simpler and easier to maintain airframe reducing maintenance
Wear and tear on RAM vs. no wear and tear on RAM (even if it be woven RAM)

Opportunity to co-operate on induction, training and servicing

VLO

Vulnerability of being beholden to single supplier
Integration issues with a platform
Closer co-operation with current or possible future allies

I can see pros and cons for any of three options

Operationally the Hi-Lo mix seems pretty attractive. BUT without any numbers on the three scenarios we are all guessing rather

Or the NR-349… an advanced interceptor based on the A-5 Vigilante…

Corrr warplane porn. I’d heard about the idea of sticking a third jet in the Vigilante but I hadn’t seen a piccies and didn’t really just how awesome it’d have looked. So thanks for posting.

3 Phoenix in tandem really does shown how long Vigilante is

Everyone is proposing super sleek jets, how about something a little more rugged like the A-10?

A-10, of course

2 seat – absolutely
All weather day/night avionics – presumably taken as read?
DAS, EOTS, DIRCM – absolutely
GAU-22/25mm in place of avenger – ? – that’s quite possibly brilliant, although I’d stick with one myself
Bellymounted chaingun – this appears to be AAC’s weapon of choice in Afghanistan so seems like a winner. Maybe that’s where to put the second GAU-22? Admittedly that’s not a no-brainer as we talking lighter round AND a heavier mount which will take more turning.
Tailgun – ? – not so sure

I’m not so sure about that. Look at the roles he said and then consider the shrinking budgets of the MOD. That’s about what they could have afforded

Sadly you might be right there 😡 🙂

I thought that one of the possibilities for Japan was to let their industry develop an AESA of their own. Although an AESA really would help for India.

Even allowing for the speculative nature of such discussions my next point is woolly.

If Japan sees domestic involvement in Typhoon AESA as a good thing
AND Japan and India both have China as their biggest potential threat
Might India see Japanese AESA on Typhoon as a good thing?

One cultural issue for Japanese Eurofighter. What to call it? There is one obvious Japanese language name for a Typhoon or strong wind but historically probably not acceptable (although I thought that about German adoption of Typhoon and was wrong there)