Japan Defence Forum
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Japan's defense minister meeting military leaders in Hawaii
HONOLULU (AP) — Japan's defense minister is in Hawaii to meet with senior U.S. military officials for the first time since his country's parliament approved legislation loosening post-World War II constraints on its military.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani was scheduled to meet with U.S. Pacific Command commander Adm. Harry Harris on Tuesday. The Pacific Command said Nakatani's discussions were expected to cover security in the region, including in the East and South China Seas. Ballistic missile defense was also on the agenda.
Japan's parliament passed legislation in September allowing Tokyo's military to defend its allies even when the country isn't under attack. The law will enable Japan to work more closely with the U.S. and other nations.
Ralph Cossa, president of the Pacific Forum CSIS think tank, said the two allies need to determine how the law will work when it comes to operations. That's likely to be a topic of Nakatani's discussions in Hawaii, he said.
"People are still curious as to what the two are going to be able to do together," Cossa said.
Ballistic missile defense is one area where increased cooperation is expected.
"With the new legislation, presumably now if the North Koreans shoot a missile toward Hawaii, and the Japanese detect it, they can shoot it down. Before they just had to just sort of wave to it as it went by," Cossa said.
Japan has invested heavily in missile defenses since North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile over Japan's main island in 1998. Nakatani's schedule in Hawaii included a visit to the Sea-based X-band Radar — which is used to detect ballistic missiles — at Pearl Harbor.
The new law would also allow Japan to help defend a U.S. ship under attack. The U.S. has long been able to help a Japanese ship in the same situation, but Japan's prohibitions against collective self-defense didn't allow the reverse.
The legislation sparked protests and debate in Japan about whether Tokyo should shift away from its pacifist ways to face growing security challenges.
The law's supporters say Japan's neighborhood has become a more dangerous place, citing North Korean missile tests and Chinese challenges to Japanese sovereignty over remote islands.
They say Japan's military needs to be more active to deter China and North Korea and help preserve Japan's peace and prosperity. A major goal of the legislation is to allow the military to work more closely with its main ally, the United States, strengthening their joint capabilities.
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Nakatani approves of U.S. nautical maneuvers in South China Sea
General Nakatani inspects the Imperial Honor Guards.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has expressed his support for the U.S. Navy’s sailing of a warship close to one of China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea.
Nakatani told reporters in Hawaii after meeting Adm. Harry Harris, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, that the U.S. military was at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect open, free and peaceful oceans in the region.
“The international community will not allow the unilateral changing of the status quo by force, and our country believes the same,” Nakatani said Tuesday. “The U.S. believes the same, too, and we agreed on this point.”
The U.S. Navy last month sailed a guided missile destroyer inside what China claims is a 12-nautical-mile territorial limit around Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands. The move was a challenge to what the U.S. considers Beijing’s “excessive claim” of sovereignty in those waters.
The defense minister’s visit to Hawaii to meet with senior U.S. military leaders was his first since Japan’s parliament in September approved legislation loosening post-World War II constraints on its military.
He said Japan would continue to help countries in the region bolster their own maritime forces. Japan is giving 10 patrol ships to the Philippine Coast Guard.
“We have proactively participated in activities promoting the regional stability, including helping build the capacity of countries around the South China Sea and holding joint exercises between the U.S. military and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces,” Nakatani said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and Japanese navies established a new level of cooperation to resupply each other’s vessels during joint exercises in the seas south of Japan last week, the commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet said Tuesday.
Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin said the delivery of boxes of food and other provisions to a Japanese warship by a U.S. helicopter heralded greater operational integration. It was the first time that the two allies have shared supplies other than ship oil at sea.
“It’s a big step forward, and we want to do more of that in the future,” Aucoin said at a news conference aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.
The 100,000-ton U.S. carrier participated in the annual exercise along with six other U.S. ships and around 25 Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels.
The agreement to begin such exchanges means that U.S. vessels can now be resupplied by Japanese ships in waters closer to Japan and will make it easier for the MSDF to operate farther from home waters with the help of U.S. supply ships.
The MSDF and U.S. Navy are deepening already close military ties as Chinese military power in the region grows.
Vice Admiral Yasuhiro Shigeoka, commander of the MSDF fleet, who joined Aucoin at the briefing, described the security situation in the region surrounding Japan as “severe.”
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won lawmakers’ approval in September for new security legislation that allows Japan’s military to come to the aid of allies under attack.
Abe said the biggest shift in Japan’s defense policy since the creation of its postwar military in 1954 was vital to meet emerging challenges such as those posed by China’s growing military power.
It means the U.S. and Japan can repackage regular joint drills, such as the one in waters about 563 km (350 miles) south of Japan “to do more high level sophisticated” training.
Based in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, with the only forward-deployed U.S. carrier, the 7th Fleet with some 80 vessels, 140 aircraft and 40,000 sailors is the most powerful naval force in the Western Pacific.
Nakatani approves of U.S. nautical maneuvers in South China Sea | The Japan Times
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Japan -US Joint Drills in South China Sea – Sending Chills to Beijing
On Thursday, Beijing expressed opposition on the plan of Japan and the U.S. to continue its joint navy drills in the highly contested islands, reefs and atolls in the South China Sea.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei, in a press briefing exhorted countries involved in the South China Sea to take a peaceful stance towards stability rather than “flexing their muscles” that may further escalate tensions and militarization of the area.
This declaration of the Chinese spokesman is in response to agreements between Japan and the U.S. on possible continuance of operations in the South China Sea. Japan’s Defense Minister General Nakatani and the U.S. Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris agreed on joint drills in the disputed waters early this week, on Tuesday.
Japan and the U.S. had jointly conducted a 10-day military exercise in the area, which is the subject of disputes among countries advancing territorial claims. China is claiming sovereignty over a biggest portion or almost all of the entire South China Sea, disregarding territorial claims of its neighbors located nearest to the disputed waters such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia.
The South China Sea has become a center of dispute among these countries because of its role as a critical route to international shipping, apart from information that the area is sitting on vast deposits of mineral resources, including oil.
China is being watched closely by relevant countries, the U.S. on top of the list , for its “massive and fast-paced land reclamation work in the South China Sea”, while building a top of the line military facility in the waters. These activities are causing a ruckus among the smaller China’s Asian neighbor-claimants and contributing to regional tensions.
Japan may not be directly involved in the South China Sea, but it is collaborating with the U.S. to promote freedom for international navigation, particularly the South China Sea and has been open in this involvement. On the eyes of the international community, Japan and the US joint drills is seen as strategy to check China’s aggressive activities.
China is not at ease on this current activities, thus it openly opposed Japan and the U.S. partnership of training its navy in the area.
HONOLULU (AP) — Japan's defense minister is in Hawaii to meet with senior U.S. military officials for the first time since his country's parliament approved legislation loosening post-World War II constraints on its military.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani was scheduled to meet with U.S. Pacific Command commander Adm. Harry Harris on Tuesday. The Pacific Command said Nakatani's discussions were expected to cover security in the region, including in the East and South China Seas. Ballistic missile defense was also on the agenda.
Japan's parliament passed legislation in September allowing Tokyo's military to defend its allies even when the country isn't under attack. The law will enable Japan to work more closely with the U.S. and other nations.
Ralph Cossa, president of the Pacific Forum CSIS think tank, said the two allies need to determine how the law will work when it comes to operations. That's likely to be a topic of Nakatani's discussions in Hawaii, he said.
"People are still curious as to what the two are going to be able to do together," Cossa said.
Ballistic missile defense is one area where increased cooperation is expected.
"With the new legislation, presumably now if the North Koreans shoot a missile toward Hawaii, and the Japanese detect it, they can shoot it down. Before they just had to just sort of wave to it as it went by," Cossa said.
Japan has invested heavily in missile defenses since North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile over Japan's main island in 1998. Nakatani's schedule in Hawaii included a visit to the Sea-based X-band Radar — which is used to detect ballistic missiles — at Pearl Harbor.
The new law would also allow Japan to help defend a U.S. ship under attack. The U.S. has long been able to help a Japanese ship in the same situation, but Japan's prohibitions against collective self-defense didn't allow the reverse.
The legislation sparked protests and debate in Japan about whether Tokyo should shift away from its pacifist ways to face growing security challenges.
The law's supporters say Japan's neighborhood has become a more dangerous place, citing North Korean missile tests and Chinese challenges to Japanese sovereignty over remote islands.
They say Japan's military needs to be more active to deter China and North Korea and help preserve Japan's peace and prosperity. A major goal of the legislation is to allow the military to work more closely with its main ally, the United States, strengthening their joint capabilities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nakatani approves of U.S. nautical maneuvers in South China Sea
General Nakatani inspects the Imperial Honor Guards.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has expressed his support for the U.S. Navy’s sailing of a warship close to one of China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea.
Nakatani told reporters in Hawaii after meeting Adm. Harry Harris, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, that the U.S. military was at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect open, free and peaceful oceans in the region.
“The international community will not allow the unilateral changing of the status quo by force, and our country believes the same,” Nakatani said Tuesday. “The U.S. believes the same, too, and we agreed on this point.”
The U.S. Navy last month sailed a guided missile destroyer inside what China claims is a 12-nautical-mile territorial limit around Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands. The move was a challenge to what the U.S. considers Beijing’s “excessive claim” of sovereignty in those waters.
The defense minister’s visit to Hawaii to meet with senior U.S. military leaders was his first since Japan’s parliament in September approved legislation loosening post-World War II constraints on its military.
He said Japan would continue to help countries in the region bolster their own maritime forces. Japan is giving 10 patrol ships to the Philippine Coast Guard.
“We have proactively participated in activities promoting the regional stability, including helping build the capacity of countries around the South China Sea and holding joint exercises between the U.S. military and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces,” Nakatani said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and Japanese navies established a new level of cooperation to resupply each other’s vessels during joint exercises in the seas south of Japan last week, the commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet said Tuesday.
Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin said the delivery of boxes of food and other provisions to a Japanese warship by a U.S. helicopter heralded greater operational integration. It was the first time that the two allies have shared supplies other than ship oil at sea.
“It’s a big step forward, and we want to do more of that in the future,” Aucoin said at a news conference aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.
The 100,000-ton U.S. carrier participated in the annual exercise along with six other U.S. ships and around 25 Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels.
The agreement to begin such exchanges means that U.S. vessels can now be resupplied by Japanese ships in waters closer to Japan and will make it easier for the MSDF to operate farther from home waters with the help of U.S. supply ships.
The MSDF and U.S. Navy are deepening already close military ties as Chinese military power in the region grows.
Vice Admiral Yasuhiro Shigeoka, commander of the MSDF fleet, who joined Aucoin at the briefing, described the security situation in the region surrounding Japan as “severe.”
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won lawmakers’ approval in September for new security legislation that allows Japan’s military to come to the aid of allies under attack.
Abe said the biggest shift in Japan’s defense policy since the creation of its postwar military in 1954 was vital to meet emerging challenges such as those posed by China’s growing military power.
It means the U.S. and Japan can repackage regular joint drills, such as the one in waters about 563 km (350 miles) south of Japan “to do more high level sophisticated” training.
Based in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, with the only forward-deployed U.S. carrier, the 7th Fleet with some 80 vessels, 140 aircraft and 40,000 sailors is the most powerful naval force in the Western Pacific.
Nakatani approves of U.S. nautical maneuvers in South China Sea | The Japan Times
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japan -US Joint Drills in South China Sea – Sending Chills to Beijing
On Thursday, Beijing expressed opposition on the plan of Japan and the U.S. to continue its joint navy drills in the highly contested islands, reefs and atolls in the South China Sea.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei, in a press briefing exhorted countries involved in the South China Sea to take a peaceful stance towards stability rather than “flexing their muscles” that may further escalate tensions and militarization of the area.
This declaration of the Chinese spokesman is in response to agreements between Japan and the U.S. on possible continuance of operations in the South China Sea. Japan’s Defense Minister General Nakatani and the U.S. Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris agreed on joint drills in the disputed waters early this week, on Tuesday.
Japan and the U.S. had jointly conducted a 10-day military exercise in the area, which is the subject of disputes among countries advancing territorial claims. China is claiming sovereignty over a biggest portion or almost all of the entire South China Sea, disregarding territorial claims of its neighbors located nearest to the disputed waters such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia.
The South China Sea has become a center of dispute among these countries because of its role as a critical route to international shipping, apart from information that the area is sitting on vast deposits of mineral resources, including oil.
China is being watched closely by relevant countries, the U.S. on top of the list , for its “massive and fast-paced land reclamation work in the South China Sea”, while building a top of the line military facility in the waters. These activities are causing a ruckus among the smaller China’s Asian neighbor-claimants and contributing to regional tensions.
Japan may not be directly involved in the South China Sea, but it is collaborating with the U.S. to promote freedom for international navigation, particularly the South China Sea and has been open in this involvement. On the eyes of the international community, Japan and the US joint drills is seen as strategy to check China’s aggressive activities.
China is not at ease on this current activities, thus it openly opposed Japan and the U.S. partnership of training its navy in the area.
US Approves $1.2B Global Hawk Sale to Japan
WASHINGTON -- The US Department of State has approved a potential sale of three Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned surveillance systems to Japan.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible foreign military sale on Nov. 19, according to a DSCA statement.
The deal for three Block 30 Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft, including three Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suites and 16 navigation systems, is worth up to US $1.2 billion.
Japan has been focused on building up its surveillance assets in the region as neighboring China has become increasingly aggressive. Japan's Ministry of Defense officially decided to procure the Global Hawk, as well as Boeing's V-22 Osprey and Northrop's E-2D Hawkeye command and control aircraft, in 2014.
Japan chose the Global Hawk over the Guardian ER design by General Atomics for the country's Air Self Defense Force.
"The proposed sale of the RQ-4 will significantly enhance Japan's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and help ensure that Japan is able to continue to monitor and deter regional threats," according to the statement. "The Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its armed forces."
In the statement, DSCA touted the sale as strengthening the US-Japanese alliance at a time of growing tensions over China's moves in the South China Sea.
US Approves $1.2B Global Hawk Sale to Japan
WASHINGTON -- The US Department of State has approved a potential sale of three Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned surveillance systems to Japan.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible foreign military sale on Nov. 19, according to a DSCA statement.
The deal for three Block 30 Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft, including three Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suites and 16 navigation systems, is worth up to US $1.2 billion.
Japan has been focused on building up its surveillance assets in the region as neighboring China has become increasingly aggressive. Japan's Ministry of Defense officially decided to procure the Global Hawk, as well as Boeing's V-22 Osprey and Northrop's E-2D Hawkeye command and control aircraft, in 2014.
Japan chose the Global Hawk over the Guardian ER design by General Atomics for the country's Air Self Defense Force.
"The proposed sale of the RQ-4 will significantly enhance Japan's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and help ensure that Japan is able to continue to monitor and deter regional threats," according to the statement. "The Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its armed forces."
In the statement, DSCA touted the sale as strengthening the US-Japanese alliance at a time of growing tensions over China's moves in the South China Sea.
US Approves $1.2B Global Hawk Sale to Japan
【派遣海賊対処行動航空隊・派遣海賊対処行動支援隊】
第２１次派遣海賊対処行動航空隊及び第４次派遣海賊対処行動支援隊に派遣されている隊員の記録をお届けします。
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１１月２７日（金）～２９日（日）、大阪府能勢町ライフル射撃場で開催された全日本ライフル射撃競技選手権大会（50mライフル）兼全日本選抜ライフル射撃競技大会（10mエア・ライフル）の自衛隊体育学校の成果についてお知らせいたします。
自衛隊体育学校から６名の選手が出場し、松本崇志（まつもと たかゆき）１等陸尉が50mライフル３姿勢男子120発競技、清水綾乃（しみず あや の）２等陸曹が50mライフル伏射女子60発競技及び10ｍエア・ライフル女子40発競技でそれぞれ優勝の成績を収めました。
体育学校勢は出場選手全員が入賞、特に50mライフル３姿勢男子120発競技では表彰台を独占する快挙を果たし、今後のリオ五輪出場権獲得に向け大きな期待と弾みをもたらした大会となりました。
引き続き、自衛官アスリートへのご声援をよろしくお願いいたします。
第２１次派遣海賊対処行動航空隊及び第４次派遣海賊対処行動支援隊に派遣されている隊員の記録をお届けします。
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１１月２７日（金）～２９日（日）、大阪府能勢町ライフル射撃場で開催された全日本ライフル射撃競技選手権大会（50mライフル）兼全日本選抜ライフル射撃競技大会（10mエア・ライフル）の自衛隊体育学校の成果についてお知らせいたします。
自衛隊体育学校から６名の選手が出場し、松本崇志（まつもと たかゆき）１等陸尉が50mライフル３姿勢男子120発競技、清水綾乃（しみず あや の）２等陸曹が50mライフル伏射女子60発競技及び10ｍエア・ライフル女子40発競技でそれぞれ優勝の成績を収めました。
体育学校勢は出場選手全員が入賞、特に50mライフル３姿勢男子120発競技では表彰台を独占する快挙を果たし、今後のリオ五輪出場権獲得に向け大きな期待と弾みをもたらした大会となりました。
引き続き、自衛官アスリートへのご声援をよろしくお願いいたします。
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平成２７年度自衛官募集（自衛隊貸費学生採用試験情報）
平成２７年１２月１日（火）より、自衛隊貸費学生の受付を開始しました。
自衛隊貸費学生とは、大学（大学院を含む。専門職大学院を除く。）で、理学、工学を専攻し、修学後、その専攻した学術を応用して自衛隊に勤務しようとする者に対し、選考により学資金を貸与するというものです。
また、自衛官候補生（男子）につきましても、随時受付しております。
詳しくは、お近くの地方協力本部までご連絡ください。
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
平成２７年度自衛官募集（自衛隊貸費学生採用試験情報）
平成２７年１２月１日（火）より、自衛隊貸費学生の受付を開始しました。
自衛隊貸費学生とは、大学（大学院を含む。専門職大学院を除く。）で、理学、工学を専攻し、修学後、その専攻した学術を応用して自衛隊に勤務しようとする者に対し、選考により学資金を貸与するというものです。
また、自衛官候補生（男子）につきましても、随時受付しております。
詳しくは、お近くの地方協力本部までご連絡ください。
CountStrike
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Japan Set to Test Stealth Jet as Abe Boosts Defense Focus
Japan is closing in on becoming the fourth nation to test fly its own stealth jet, a move that could further antagonize neighboring Asian countries who’ve opposed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s bid to strengthen the role of its armed forces.
The aircraft is scheduled to make its maiden flight in the first quarter of 2016, Hirofumi Doi, a program manager at the Ministry of Defense, said in an interview in Tokyo. The plane, called Advanced Technology Demonstrator X, will then be handed over to the nation’s self-defense forces, which will start conducting their own tests, he said.
The plane made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. will strengthen Abe’s military ambitions after he succeeded in pushing through U.S.-endorsed legislation to allow Japanese troops to fight in overseas conflicts, despite concerns abroad and at home. Japanese militarism is a particularly sensitive topic for China and South Korea because of the aggression they endured before and during World War II.
“The security environment around Japan is becoming increasingly complex and Japan needs to maintain air capabilities commensurate to those of other air forces in the region,” said Rukmani Gupta, an analyst in New Delhi at IHS Jane’s. “Should the ATD-X test be deemed successful, it is very likely that Japan will pursue production of a next-generation fighter.”
Missile Space
The 14-meter-long (46-foot-long) jet, equipped with engines from IHI Corp., will cost 40 billion yen ($324 million) to develop, Doi said. The ATD-X could become the basis for a new fighter jet to replace the nation’s F-2, said Takahiro Yoshida, a director in the ministry.
If Japan decides to make a fighter jet version, its engines would be about three times the strength of the stealth jet’s, and the plane would have enough space to store missiles, Doi said.
It’s not a given that Japan will go ahead with the project.
"These experimental fighters are an exercise in the realm of the possible," said Lance Gatling, head of aerospace consultancy Nexial Research. "In terms of international relations, it’s a bargaining chip. They can say: ’We did a credible job on this, we may just build our own if you don’t give us a better deal or you don’t give us a portion of the production in Japan.’"
Fifth Generation
IHI is supporting flight tests of the latest jet, said Yuki Takahashi, a Tokyo-based spokeswoman. Hideo Ikuno, a spokesman for Mitsubishi Heavy in Tokyo, declined to comment on the jet’s development.
The U.S., Russia and China have all built and flown stealth planes, known as fifth-generation jets, which are harder to detect by radar. Other countries such as India and Turkey also are developing stealth jets, according to Gupta at IHS Jane’s. South Korea and Indonesia are also investing in the joint development of a next-generation fighter aircraft, he said.
Japan will have a stealth fighter jet capability in coming years even without replacing its F-2s. The country placed an order for 42 of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 jets in 2011. The planes are the Pentagon’s costliest weapons program, and Japan will use them to replace jets made more than three decades ago.
The Japanese government will make a decision on a replacement for its F-2 fighter jets by the end of March 2019, Doi said.
“We’re building this in preparation for the development of a new fighter jet,” Doi said. “Neighboring countries are developing stealth jets and so this research is to allow us to understand what technology is needed for such a project.”
Japan Set to Test Stealth Jet as Abe Boosts Defense Focus - Bloomberg Business
Japan is closing in on becoming the fourth nation to test fly its own stealth jet, a move that could further antagonize neighboring Asian countries who’ve opposed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s bid to strengthen the role of its armed forces.
The aircraft is scheduled to make its maiden flight in the first quarter of 2016, Hirofumi Doi, a program manager at the Ministry of Defense, said in an interview in Tokyo. The plane, called Advanced Technology Demonstrator X, will then be handed over to the nation’s self-defense forces, which will start conducting their own tests, he said.
The plane made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. will strengthen Abe’s military ambitions after he succeeded in pushing through U.S.-endorsed legislation to allow Japanese troops to fight in overseas conflicts, despite concerns abroad and at home. Japanese militarism is a particularly sensitive topic for China and South Korea because of the aggression they endured before and during World War II.
“The security environment around Japan is becoming increasingly complex and Japan needs to maintain air capabilities commensurate to those of other air forces in the region,” said Rukmani Gupta, an analyst in New Delhi at IHS Jane’s. “Should the ATD-X test be deemed successful, it is very likely that Japan will pursue production of a next-generation fighter.”
Missile Space
The 14-meter-long (46-foot-long) jet, equipped with engines from IHI Corp., will cost 40 billion yen ($324 million) to develop, Doi said. The ATD-X could become the basis for a new fighter jet to replace the nation’s F-2, said Takahiro Yoshida, a director in the ministry.
If Japan decides to make a fighter jet version, its engines would be about three times the strength of the stealth jet’s, and the plane would have enough space to store missiles, Doi said.
It’s not a given that Japan will go ahead with the project.
"These experimental fighters are an exercise in the realm of the possible," said Lance Gatling, head of aerospace consultancy Nexial Research. "In terms of international relations, it’s a bargaining chip. They can say: ’We did a credible job on this, we may just build our own if you don’t give us a better deal or you don’t give us a portion of the production in Japan.’"
Fifth Generation
IHI is supporting flight tests of the latest jet, said Yuki Takahashi, a Tokyo-based spokeswoman. Hideo Ikuno, a spokesman for Mitsubishi Heavy in Tokyo, declined to comment on the jet’s development.
The U.S., Russia and China have all built and flown stealth planes, known as fifth-generation jets, which are harder to detect by radar. Other countries such as India and Turkey also are developing stealth jets, according to Gupta at IHS Jane’s. South Korea and Indonesia are also investing in the joint development of a next-generation fighter aircraft, he said.
Japan will have a stealth fighter jet capability in coming years even without replacing its F-2s. The country placed an order for 42 of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 jets in 2011. The planes are the Pentagon’s costliest weapons program, and Japan will use them to replace jets made more than three decades ago.
The Japanese government will make a decision on a replacement for its F-2 fighter jets by the end of March 2019, Doi said.
“We’re building this in preparation for the development of a new fighter jet,” Doi said. “Neighboring countries are developing stealth jets and so this research is to allow us to understand what technology is needed for such a project.”
Japan Set to Test Stealth Jet as Abe Boosts Defense Focus - Bloomberg Business
Indus Falcon
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Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” Inserted Into Venus' Orbit
December 9, 2015
National Research and Development Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully inserted the Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” into the orbit circling around Venus.
As a result of measuring and calculating the AKATSUKI’s orbit after its thrust ejection, the orbiter is now flying on the elliptical orbit at the apoapsis altitude of about 400 km and periapsis altitude of about 440,000 km from Venus. The orbit period is 13 days and 14 hours. We also found that the orbiter is flying in the same direction as that of Venus’s rotation.
The AKATSUKI is in good health.
We will deploy the three scientific mission instruments namely the 2μm camera (IR2), the Lightning and Airglow Camera (LAC) and the Ultra-Stable oscillator (USO) and check their functions. JAXA will then perform initial observations with the above three instruments along with the three other instruments whose function has already been confirmed, the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI), the Longwave IR camera (LIR), and the 1μm camera (IR1) for about three months. At the same time, JAXA will also gradually adjust the orbit for shifting its elliptical orbit to the period of about nine days. The regular operation is scheduled to start in April, 2016.
Orbit calculation result (as of Dec. 9)
Periapsis altitude About 400 km
Apoasis altitude About 440,000 km
Inclination About 3 degrees against Venus’ revolution plane
Period About 13 days and 14 hours
Reference 1
Orbit pattern diagram
Reference 2
Venus image taken by AKATSUKI immediately after its attitude control ejection.
By 1μm camera (IR1) at around 1:50 p.m. on Dec. 7 (Japan Standard Time) at the Venus altitude of about 68,000 km
By Longwave IR camera (LIR) at around 2:19 p.m. on Dec. 7 (Japan Standard Time) at the Venus altitude of about 72,000 km
By Ultraviolet Imager (UVI), at around 2:19 p.m. on Dec. 7 (Japan Standard Time) at the Venus altitude of about 72,000 km
JAXA | Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” Inserted Into Venus' Orbit
Venus Climate Orbiter mission of Japan
JAXA | Outline of Venus
December 9, 2015
National Research and Development Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully inserted the Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” into the orbit circling around Venus.
As a result of measuring and calculating the AKATSUKI’s orbit after its thrust ejection, the orbiter is now flying on the elliptical orbit at the apoapsis altitude of about 400 km and periapsis altitude of about 440,000 km from Venus. The orbit period is 13 days and 14 hours. We also found that the orbiter is flying in the same direction as that of Venus’s rotation.
The AKATSUKI is in good health.
We will deploy the three scientific mission instruments namely the 2μm camera (IR2), the Lightning and Airglow Camera (LAC) and the Ultra-Stable oscillator (USO) and check their functions. JAXA will then perform initial observations with the above three instruments along with the three other instruments whose function has already been confirmed, the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI), the Longwave IR camera (LIR), and the 1μm camera (IR1) for about three months. At the same time, JAXA will also gradually adjust the orbit for shifting its elliptical orbit to the period of about nine days. The regular operation is scheduled to start in April, 2016.
Orbit calculation result (as of Dec. 9)
Periapsis altitude About 400 km
Apoasis altitude About 440,000 km
Inclination About 3 degrees against Venus’ revolution plane
Period About 13 days and 14 hours
Reference 1
Orbit pattern diagram
Reference 2
Venus image taken by AKATSUKI immediately after its attitude control ejection.
By 1μm camera (IR1) at around 1:50 p.m. on Dec. 7 (Japan Standard Time) at the Venus altitude of about 68,000 km
By Longwave IR camera (LIR) at around 2:19 p.m. on Dec. 7 (Japan Standard Time) at the Venus altitude of about 72,000 km
By Ultraviolet Imager (UVI), at around 2:19 p.m. on Dec. 7 (Japan Standard Time) at the Venus altitude of about 72,000 km
JAXA | Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” Inserted Into Venus' Orbit
Venus Climate Orbiter mission of Japan
JAXA | Outline of Venus
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Indus Falcon
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H-II launch vehicle
The H-II launch vehicle, the central rocket in Japan's space program, with the capability to launch a two-ton class satellite into geostationary orbit, is a two-stage rocket that was developed with Japanese independent technology in all stages. In addition to geostationary satellite, it can also be used to launch payloads into low and medium-altitude orbits. For greater economy, it is possible to launch simultaneously two geostationary satellites weighing about one ton each.
The 1st stage has a large, high-performance liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engine known as the LE-7. Newly developed for the H-II launch vehicle, it offers propulsion of approximately 110 tons in a vacuum. The 2nd stage uses the LE-5A engine. This reignitable engine offers higher performance and reliability than the LE-5 engine developed for the H-I launch vehicle. The guidance system employs an inertial guidance method, a further improvement on H-I development results.
The H-II launch vehicle, since the first successful launch in 1994, was utilized in a total of 7 launches. Due to launch failure of the vehicle No.8 in 1999 came next to unsuccessful injection of the satellite by the No.5 in 1998, scheduled launch of the No.7 was cancelled, but the technology used in developing the H-II will be exploited for developing H-IIA.
Flight Sequence
First Stage
The first stage of the H-II launch vehicle consists of the first stage core vehicle equipped with the LE-7 engine and two solid rocket boosters(SRBs) . The LE-7 engine is a liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine with 86 tons of thrust(at sea level) . The SRBs are polybutadiene composite solid propellant boosters with 158 tons of thrust each(at sea level) . The guidance and control of the first stage is performed by the hydraulically steerable nozzles of the LE-7 engine and of the SRBs controlled by the Inertial Guidance Computer(IGC). Two auxiliary engines are also provided to control attitude.
Second Stage
The second stage of the H-II launch vehicle is equipped with the LE-5A Iiquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine. The LE-5A engine is an improved LE-5 engine(developed for the second stage of the H - I launch vehicle) and provides 12 tons of thrust (in vaccum). The guidance and control of the second stage is performed by the hydraulically steerable nozzle of the LE-5A engine and the reaction control system controlled by the IGC.
Guidance and Control System
The H-II launch vehicle employs a strapped-down inertial guidance and control system. The system consists of the Inertial Measurement Unit(lMU) which uses three ring laser gyros and the IGC. The inertial guidance and control system enables the H-Il launch vehicle to correct errors automatically and to maintain the planned orbit without commands from the ground station.
Payload Fairing
The payload fairing protects the payload from the severe launch environment and from contamination on the ground.
H-IIA Lineup
H-IIA Launch Vehicle can be in various configurations by installing solid rocket boosters (SRB-As) additionally. H-IIA can answer various launch needs of payload size and weight by its family members.
Indus Falcon
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Upgrading JAXA's flagship launch vehicle
JAXA is proud of the launch success rate of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle, which is among the highest levels in the world. However, as it has been 14 years since its maiden launch, some issues have been raised such as the aging launch facility and the need for a larger payload launch capacity. JAXA is conducting the H-IIA upgrade project to tackle those issues. We will achieve more efficient launch vehicle operations by improving H-IIA launch capability and its global competitiveness, and simplifying the ground facility.
H-IIA Upgrade Project
Improved function and performance
(1) Enhanced launch capacity of a geostationary satellite
By increasing the duration of flight time and the number of engine ignitions, more flexible flight patterns become possible, and the launch capability of a geostationary satellite is also increased.
The onboard environment has been improved for payloads to among the highest levels in the world by adopting a mechanism that is not based on pyrotechnics.
Reducing maintenance/renovation costs of facility
(3) Simplified ground facility
Ground tracking radars are no longer necessary as the onboard flight safety navigation sensor was developed.
H-IIA UPGRADE
Enhanced launch performance to cope with geostationary satellite launch -
Adopting it to the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 29, our upgraded flagship launch vehicle
The “geostationary orbit” is about 36,000 km above the Earth’s equator. The orbit is used by meteorological and communication satellites.
For entering into the geostationary orbit, a satellite is injected into the “geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)” by a launch vehicle. To date, a satellite has to fly to the geostationary orbit by its own thrust (in other words, by using its onboard engine consuming its loaded propellant) after being inserted into the GTO. Long-Coast (Improving the launch vehicle engine for longer space flight) and multiple-time ignitions enables us to inject a satellite into a closer point to the geostationary orbit.
By placing a satellite into the orbit closer to the geostationary orbit, less propellant is necessary for the satellite to move to the final destination, thus the volume (weight) for that unnecessary propellant can be used for a larger observation sensor or extra propellant for longer satellite life.
Renovated flight performance and launch vehicle engine to take a satellite farther
Adding the function to control second stage engine thrust (engine power)
The speed of the launch vehicle near the geostationary orbit (apogee) is slow, thus, if the second stage engine is ignited to full power (100% thrust), it is too powerful to precisely inject a payload into the target orbit. Therefore, we added a function called the “throttling function” to control the second stage engine thrust to 60% so that more flexible orbit insertion becomes possible.
Ignite the second stage engine (second time) at the perigee to increase speed.
JAXA is proud of the launch success rate of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle, which is among the highest levels in the world. However, as it has been 14 years since its maiden launch, some issues have been raised such as the aging launch facility and the need for a larger payload launch capacity. JAXA is conducting the H-IIA upgrade project to tackle those issues. We will achieve more efficient launch vehicle operations by improving H-IIA launch capability and its global competitiveness, and simplifying the ground facility.
H-IIA Upgrade Project
Improved function and performance
(1) Enhanced launch capacity of a geostationary satellite
By increasing the duration of flight time and the number of engine ignitions, more flexible flight patterns become possible, and the launch capability of a geostationary satellite is also increased.
- Enhanced launch performance to cope with geostationary satellite launch.
- Adopting it to the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 29
The onboard environment has been improved for payloads to among the highest levels in the world by adopting a mechanism that is not based on pyrotechnics.
Reducing maintenance/renovation costs of facility
(3) Simplified ground facility
Ground tracking radars are no longer necessary as the onboard flight safety navigation sensor was developed.
H-IIA UPGRADE
Enhanced launch performance to cope with geostationary satellite launch -
Adopting it to the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 29, our upgraded flagship launch vehicle
The “geostationary orbit” is about 36,000 km above the Earth’s equator. The orbit is used by meteorological and communication satellites.
For entering into the geostationary orbit, a satellite is injected into the “geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)” by a launch vehicle. To date, a satellite has to fly to the geostationary orbit by its own thrust (in other words, by using its onboard engine consuming its loaded propellant) after being inserted into the GTO. Long-Coast (Improving the launch vehicle engine for longer space flight) and multiple-time ignitions enables us to inject a satellite into a closer point to the geostationary orbit.
By placing a satellite into the orbit closer to the geostationary orbit, less propellant is necessary for the satellite to move to the final destination, thus the volume (weight) for that unnecessary propellant can be used for a larger observation sensor or extra propellant for longer satellite life.
Renovated flight performance and launch vehicle engine to take a satellite farther
- Painting the liquid hydrogen tank in white to reduce propellant evaporation due to sun light
During space flight, the launch vehicle is constantly heated by the sun and the liquid hydrogen (which is about minus 250 degrees Celsius) in the tank evaporates. By coting the tank surface with special white paint, the tank surface reflects the sun light to reduce propellant evaporation to contribute to Long-Coast. - Decreasing the volume of liquid oxygen for cooling to a third by renovating the engine cooling function
To ignite the engine, the turbo pump has to be cooled using liquid oxygen. We have developed a new cooling system called the “trickle pre-cooling” to significantly reduce the consumption of liquid oxygen during Long-Coast so that more liquid oxygen can be used for engine operation. - BBQ rolling the launch vehicle to prevent avionics from being heated by the sun
When one specific side of the launch vehicle is constantly hit by sunlight, the temperature of only that side goes up. By slowly rolling the launch vehicle like a (barbecue (BBQ) roll) while maintaining its attitude vertically against sunlight, we can keep the temperature of all parts of the launch vehicle constant. - Reducing the consumption of propellant for attitude control by effectively utilizing evaporating propellant
During the Long-Coast, propellant has to be held at the bottom part of the tank to avoid propellant evaporation as much as possible. For that, the propellant for attitude control (Hydrazine) used to be emitted backwards. In the case of Long-Coast, the volume of Hydrazine will not be enough; therefore, in the new system, evaporating propellant will be effectively used. - Equipped with a large volume power source and high performance antenna for long flight
We developed a large-size lithium ion battery to secure power for avionics during the Long-Coast. A high performance antenna is also installed on the launch vehicle for assuring communication with the launch vehicle even from 36,000 km away to acquire flight status data from the vehicle, such as the engine operation status, even when it reaches near the geostationary orbit.
Adding the function to control second stage engine thrust (engine power)
The speed of the launch vehicle near the geostationary orbit (apogee) is slow, thus, if the second stage engine is ignited to full power (100% thrust), it is too powerful to precisely inject a payload into the target orbit. Therefore, we added a function called the “throttling function” to control the second stage engine thrust to 60% so that more flexible orbit insertion becomes possible.
Ignite the second stage engine (second time) at the perigee to increase speed.
- Long space flight (“long coast”) for about four hours without separating the second stage and a payload.
- Ignite the second stage engine for the third time at the apogee to increase speed, and separate the payload to inject it into the upgraded geostationary transfer orbit (upgraded GTO).
- The payload increases its speed at the apogee and enters into the geostationary orbit.
bananarepublic
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I have a question that "is the JSDF an effective force in combat because most of the JSDF history has not been satisfactory"?
P.S when watching godzilla it seems like the JSDF does nothing but STARE .
P.S when watching godzilla it seems like the JSDF does nothing but STARE .
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