Japan Air Self-Defense Force's 5th Generation Fighter
The F-35 Lightning II is designed and built to counter the most advanced threats – making it a perfect fit for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
Program Stats
As a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) participant, the JASDF has an established program of record of 147 F-35 Aircraft, consisting of 105 F-35 A models and up to 42 F-35 B models. Japan is acquiring the most F-35s of any international customer.
Economic Impact
Japanese industry, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Mitsubishi Electric Company (MELCO) and IHI Corp. contribute to F-35A production in Japan. The three companies provide the F-35A Final Assembly and Checkout (FACO), production of Mission Systems radar and EODAS components, and F135 engine component production and FACO, respectively.
Komaki South FACO
Lockheed Martin and MHI partnered together to stand up the Komaki South FACO facility for the F-35 Lightning II in Nagoya, Japan.
The Japanese FACO facility performs the final assembly and check-out of F-35A aircraft to be delivered to the JASDF. Japan’s F-35Bs will be produced in the U.S. at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics production facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
Japan’s MRO&U Depots
To ensure the global readiness of the F-35 fleet well into the future, the F-35 Enterprise is standing up Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (MRO&U) sites around the globe. With the Initial Depot Capability declared on time in June 2020, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is now conducting MRO&U activities for the North Asia region, providing component repair and maintenance for the F-35 fleet. Additionally, IHI Corp. is in the process of establishing its Regional F135 Engine Depot in Japan.
Base Locations
Japan operates the 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) and 301st TFS, part of the JASDF’s 3rd Air Wing, at Misawa AB.
Program Milestones
- 2011: Japanese Ministry of Defense selected the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant as the next generation fighter of choice for the JASDF
- 2016: First Japanese F-35, known as AX-1, took flight in Fort Worth, Texas
- 2016: First Japanese aircraft was delivered to Luke AFB, Arizona
- 2018: First JASDF F-35 was delivered to Misawa Air Base, Japan
- 2018: Japan announced as part of the Mid-Term Defense Plan (MTDP) an additional 105 F-35 Aircraft to their program of record
- 2019: JASDF declared Initial Operational Capability with the 302nd TFS
- 2020: Initial Depot Capability was declared for the F-35 MRO&U Depot at Komaki
- 2020: JASDF activated their second F-35A squadron, the 301st TFS
航空自衛隊第5世代主力戦闘機
2011年12月19日、防衛省はFX競争入札プロセスを経て、航空自衛隊の次期主力戦闘機としてロッキード・マーチン社製F-35ライトニングIIを選定したことを発表しました。
日本向けF-35初号機が9月23日のロールアウト式典で公開されました。式典のリプレイ放送をご覧になるには、こちら
日本は米国対外有償軍事援助プロセスを通じ、通常離着陸型のF-35ライトニングIIを選定。
F-35は空中および地上における最新の脅威に対抗するために設計・製造されました。これはまさに日本が直面する防空環境です。F-35は従来の第4世代の戦闘機にはない第5世代の能力を有し、非常に高いステルス性能、優れた戦闘能力、高性能センサーおよびセンサー融合技術、ネットワーク対応型の戦闘能力、高い整備性を備えています。F-35はこうした特性のおかげで熾烈な脅威環境下においても作戦を実行することが可能なため、日本に強固な抑止力を与え、地域の安定に貢献します。F-35A日本向け1号機は2016年第2四半期にフォートワース工場での製造工程を終え、同年後半に納入されました。