日本は2014年、ステルス機を初飛行　

Japan Stealth Jet Prototype Set to Fly in 2014

Officials say Japanese stealth fighter prototype on track for test flight in 2014
The Associated Press

By ERIC TALMADGE Associated Press
TOKYO March 8, 2011 (AP)



AP
In this 2006 photo released by Japan"s Ministry of Defense, an early life-size model of Japan"s domestically designed stealth fighter is shown in Japan. A senior military official said Monday, March 7, 2011, Japan is on track to test a domestically designed prototype stealth fighter in three years. (AP Photo/Japan"s Ministry of Defense) EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO SALES



Japan is looking to join the United States, China and Russia with a stealth fighter that senior Japanese air force officials say can be ready for a prototype test flight in just three years, significantly upping the ante in the intensifying battle for air superiority in the Pacific.

The prototype will likely be able to fly in 2014, Lt. Gen. Hideyuki Yoshioka, director of air systems development at Japan"s Ministry of Defense, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

He said Japan has put 39 billion yen ($473 million) into the project since 2009, after it became clear the United States was not likely to sell it the F-22 "Raptor" — America"s most advanced fighter jet — because of a congressional export ban.

"We are two years into the project, and we are on schedule," Yoshioka said Monday.

Yoshioka stressed that a successful test flight of the prototype, dubbed "Shinshin," or "Spirit," does not mean Japan will immediately start producing stealth aircraft. The prototype is designed to test advanced technologies, and if it is successful the government will decide in 2016 how to proceed.



Japan is feeling the pressure of a regional dogfight over fighter superiority.

"If the countries surrounding Japan have stealth capabilities, Japan will need to develop those capabilities itself to ensure our own defense," said Col. Yoshikazu Takizawa of the Defense Ministry"s Technical Research and Development Institute.

Japan relies to a large degree for its defense on its alliance with the United States, which has a significant number of fighters and other aircraft, along with some 50,000 troops, stationed around the Japanese archipelago.

But that alliance, and Japan"s relatively deep pockets, did not prove convincing enough for Tokyo to get the coveted F-22. Congress repeatedly squashed the idea due to fears that the F-22 contained too much secret technology to share with even Washington"s closest friends.


"Japan wanted the F-22, but Congress didn"t agree to that," Yoshioka said. "We realized that it was important for us to develop our domestic capabilities."



AP
In this 2006 photo released by Japan"s Ministry of Defense, an early life-size model of Japan"s domestically designed stealth fighter is shown in Japan. A senior military official said Monday, March 7, 2011, Japan is on track to test a domestically designed prototype stealth fighter in three years. (AP Photo/Japan"s Ministry of Defense)


China and Russia, meanwhile, have made great strides toward perfecting advanced stealth fighters that could rival the F-22, out-fly Japan"s aircraft and — coupled with other rapid advances now under way, particularly by China"s navy — tip the regional balance of power.

China surprised experts when it sent a stealth fighter, the Chengdu J-20, up for a test flight in January during a high-profile visit to Beijing by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

The J-20 resembles the F-22 in many respects and has caused a great deal of consternation among U.S. and Japanese military planners because its development appears to be going faster than forecast. Its first flight came amid rising nervousness over Beijing"s heavy defense spending, overall military modernization and increasingly assertive stance on territorial issues.

Though the J-20 is still years away from combat readiness, it could complicate efforts to control potential conflicts over Taiwan or North Korea and dramatically improve China"s air defenses.

Russia"s new fighter, the Sukhoi T-50, took to the air last year. It is being jointly developed with India"s air force. The T-50 is seen not only as a boost to Russian air power — which is of concern to Japan because of a lingering dispute over islands both claim in the north Pacific — but also as a strong indication that it wants to sell more top-of-the-line fighters abroad.


Japan"s own air force is rapidly aging.

Tokyo wants to replace its old F-4EJ and F-15 fighters with more current aircraft, most likely the U.S.-built F-35 Joint Strike Aircraft or F/A-18, or the Eurofighter "Typhoon." A much-delayed decision worth billions of dollars on which plane it will select is expected soon.

Japan"s ATD-X program — the acronym stands for advanced technologies demonstrator — is not aimed at supplanting those acquisition plans. Instead, a domestically made stealth fighter would provide an alternative for a third fighter Japan uses — the domestically produced F-2.




Hideyuki Yoshioka
AP
In this March 7, 2011 photo, Lt. General Hideyuki Yoshioka speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at Defense Ministry in Tokyo. Yoshioka, the director of the air systems development at the ministry, said Japan is on track to test a domestically designed prototype stealth fighter in three years. The fighter model is shown in the foreground. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)



Officials stress that it also is crucial for Japan to hone the ability of its engineers to build a state-of-the-art fighter if foreign sources refuse to sell — like Washington did with the F-22.

"It is extremely important to maintain and improve domestic fighter production and technology bases," the Defense Ministry said in an outline of the ATD-X program released in late 2009, when development began in earnest.

Another big consideration is money.

The Defense Ministry expects the economic impact of domestic research, development and production to reach 8.3 trillion yen ($101 billion) and create 240,000 jobs.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=13081114




중국에의 대항과

F22를 팔지 않으면 일본은 독자 개발할게와 미국에 어필.

양면의 효과를 노리고 있구나






※연합에 나왔기 때문에 추가


일당국자 "2014년에 차세대 스텔스기 시험 비행"


(도쿄 AP=연합 뉴스) 일본은 차세대 스텔스 전투기의 시험 비행을 2014년에 실시할 예정이라면 Yosioka 히데 Yuki 방위성 항공 시스템 개발 국장이 8일 분명히 했다.

   항공 자위대 중장인 Yosioka 국장은 AP와 인터뷰로 "일본산 원형(원형) 스텔스기의 시험 비행이 3년 후 성립되는 것"이라고 하면서 "2009년 이후 스텔스 전투기 개발에 390억엔(달러 4억 7천 300만 달러)을 투자, 스케줄 대로 개발 프로그램을 진행되고 있는"과 분명히 했다.

   일본은 미국 의회가 최첨단 군사 기술에 대한 기밀 유지를 이유로 미국산 스텔스기의 "F-22 랍트"의 대일 수출을 불허하는에 의해서 2016년 완성을 목표로 자체 스텔스 전투기인 "신신(심신.ATD-X)"를 개발안이다.

   Yosioka 국장은 "원형 스텔스기가 성공적으로 비행을 해도 즉시 량산에 들어가지 않는 것"이라고 하면서 "원형은 어디까지나 고급 기술을 테스트하기 위한 일로 향후의 정부가 어떻게 할까는 2016년에 정해지는 것"과 덧붙였다.

   현재 태평양 연안에서 스텔스기 기술을 보유하고 있는 국가는 미국, 중국, 러시아 뿐이다.

   방위성 산하 기술개발 연구소의 다키자와 Yoshikazu 대령은 "일본 주위의 나라들이 스텔스기 기술을 가지고 있으면 일본도 방위를 확실히 하기 위해서 자주적으로 이 기술을 개발할 필요가 있는"이라고 말했다.

   Yosioka 국장도 "일본은 실은 F-22를 갖고 싶었지만 미 의회가 동의 하지 않았고, 결국 우리는 국산 스텔스기 기술을 개발하는 것이 중요하다고 하는 점을 깨달았다"라고 강조했다.

   중국은 떠나는 1월 로버트・게이트 미국방상이 방중했을 때 자체 스텔스 전투기선(섬)-20을 시험 비행해 일·미 군사 관계자들을 놀라게 했고, 러시아도 작년 새로운 스텔스 전투기인 스호이 T-50의 시험 비행에 성공했다.

   한편 일본은 노후화 된 F-4EJ, F-15 전투기들을 좀 더 신형인 미국산 F-35나 F/A-18 혹은 유럽의 "태풍"로 바꾸는 분 안을 곧 발표하는 것으로 알려졌다. 현재 개발중의 스텔스기는 일본산 F-2 전투기를 바꿀 예정이다.

 2011/03/08 20:18 송고

http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/politics/2011/03/08/0521000000AKR20110308219400009.HTML