Japanese media is reporting that the government of Japan has decided to base the F-35Bs ordered by the Japan Air Self-Defence Force at Nyutabaru Air Base, in Miyazaki Prefecture on… Continue reading "Nyutabaru Air Base To Host JASDF “Trump Card” F-35Bs"
Despite its role in Japanese aviation history as the Japan Air Self Defense Force’s first F-4EJ Phantom II and among the last of them, no museums or private collectors have… Continue reading "An Uncertain Fate For Japan’s First Phantom"
The three final flying F-4EJ Phantoms of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Air Development and Test Wing made their final flights this morning. F-4EJ 17-8301, the first Phantom delivered to… Continue reading "Japan’s Last F-4 Phantom IIs Retire, Ending 50 Years of Service"
The Japanese Ministry of Defense has begun carrying out research into development of unmanned combat aircraft that will serve as a complement to the F-X fighter currently in development. Nikkei… Continue reading "Japan Commences Development Program For Fighter Loyal Wingmen"
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force announced today that the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron has officially moved to Misawa Air Base, adopting the F-35A as its new aircraft. The 301st is… Continue reading "The JASDF 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron Adopts The F-35A"
The last F-4 Phantom ever made, F-4EJ Kai 17-8440, better known as “440” or “Shishimaru” to planespotters, flew for the final time on Tuesday, departing Hyakuri Air Base for Hamamatsu… Continue reading "The Final Phantom’s Final Flight"
The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force’s 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron held a send-off event today for the squadron’s F-4EJ Kai Phantom IIs, commemorating the end of 48 years of service with… Continue reading "Send-off For the JASDF 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron’s Phantom IIs"
With the retirement of the 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron’s F-4EJ Kai Phantom IIs, the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron became the sole squadron in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force flying the… Continue reading "The Last of the Samurai Phantoms: F-4EJ Kai 436 and the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron in Profile"
Japan’s Minister of Defence Nobuo Kishi announced at a press conference on 30 October, that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has been formally awarded a contract for the development of the successor… Continue reading "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Officially Contracted To Build F-2 Successor"
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s plans to upgrade its F-15J fleet faces the possibility of significant delays, following the discovery that setup costs for the upgrade work are significantly higher… Continue reading "Skyrocketing Setup Costs Likely To Delay Japan’s Super Interceptor Upgrades"