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Japan Boosts ISR Abilities Across Domains
By Paul Kallender-Umezu 12:42 p.m. EDT May 11, 2015
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Japan's planned ISR improvements include replacement of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's P-3C Orion patrol aircraft with the Japanese-built Kawasaki P-1, seen here.(Photo: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)


TOKYO — Japan's defense budget for 2015 prioritizes intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) improvements as the Ministry of Defense attempts to bolster, in particular, its ability to protect Japan's far-flung southwestern island chain, Nansei Shoto.

New ISR programs — some announced, some in planning — show Japan is extending its ISR reach not only in air- and space-based systems, but also in new maritime applications.

"The focus on improved ISR is useful and reflects a few things — not least, Japan's current ISR capabilities don't provide a useful operating picture of what's going on in the region," said Grant Newsham, a senior research fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies.

Japan's approach to ISR changed radically in 1998 when a North Korean Taepodong missile overflew the nation, shocking it and spurring leaders to develop a small constellation of information-gathering reconnaissance satellites.

But a 2007 direct-ascent Chinese anti-satellite test and the surge in probing and incursions into Japanese air and maritime domains have alarmed planners and the public alike. For example, from January to April, the Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighters 943 times against Russian and Chinese aircraft, the second highest on record since 944 times in 1984. Incidents steadily dropped through the 1990s and early 2000s, with totals typically in the 140s to 160s. By 2005 it was up to 229, in 2010 it was 386, surging to 943 five years later, according to MoD figures.

"Given an increasingly assertive PRC [People's Republic of China] in recent years and North Korean movement toward better missile and nuclear capabilities, the region has never seemed more dangerous from a Japanese perspective," Newsham said. "Having a clear intelligence picture is obviously of fundamental importance."

To keep watch over the Nansei Shoto, the MoD announced that it will acquire Global Hawk UAVs and is researching the use of ship-based UAVs. To support these moves, the MoD will also deploy a new coastal observation unit on Yonaguni Island, which abuts Taiwan.

"There is concern in some quarters that Japan is overly dependent on the US' ISR capabilities and needs more of its own proprietary resources, particularly in terms of PRC and North Korean activities," Newsham said. "The … surveillance unit on Yonaguni is going to need assistance from Maritime and Air Self-Defense Force assets to really be effective."

Japan is also making a major push in space-based ISR following a new military and national security-oriented space strategy released in January. The nation's current constellation of four information-gathering satellites could double within 10 years, and a series of new dual-use satellites for ISR purposes is being considered.

For example, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is cooperating with the MoD to host a ballistic missile early warning sensor on a new JAXA-built reconnaissance satellite called ALOS-3, and may go ahead and develop a space-based early warning architecture to support the US. JAXA is also investing in a slew of new dual-use ISR satellite programs, including tactical satellites, and Japan is considering whether it wants to build space-based signals intelligence and electronic intelligence assets.

"Space-based ISR is certainly an important issue for the US due to its global defense obligations," said Scott Pace, director of the Space Policy Institute at the George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.

In addition, space situational awareness and maritime domain awareness are key priorities for space-based ISR, following a series of agreements with the US, which is keen for Japan to play a greater role in these areas, Pace said.

Japan also wants to bolster its maritime ISR, most notably through the acquisition of 20 Kawasaki P-1 patrol aircraft, with improved detection/discernment capabilities, flight performance, information-processing capabilities, and attack capabilities to succeed existing P-3C fixed-wing patrol aircraft, which are also receiving upgrades.

Japan plans to refocus on "close-in" ISR to protect ports, harbors and other critical infrastructure, said Bob Nugent, affiliate consultant at AMI International. At least five MoD research projects cover a variety of unmanned maritime ISR systems and technologies, including long-range "sea gliders," cooperative networks of surface and underwater unmanned vehicles.

Some of these systems will be featured at the MAST Asia maritime security exhibition to be held mid-May in Yokohama. For example, NEC Corp. will outline a proposed system of underwater wireless electric charging stations for UUVs.

"Japan is keenly looking at advanced long-range acoustic hydrophones using optical fiber rather than traditional electro-acoustic listening devices," Nugent said. "Additional MoD research includes projects to improve performance of underwater passive sonar arrays. All these highlight Japan's need to improve ISR in the underwater domain."

Nugent said improved energy storage and charge/recharge technologies will be a key enabler for many of the advanced ISR platforms. Several Japanese and international companies are researching power and energy technologies "beyond the battery."

Japan's next-generation system requirements are already creating new opportunities for suppliers, said Eric Johnson, president of JSR Micro, the US subsidiary of JSR, a major Japanese semiconductor materials company.

"We're developing advanced energy storage technologies using supercapacitors that deliver very high bursts of energy and recharge quickly … needed for remote maritime sensors; unmanned vehicles operating over, on or under the water; and even space satellites … areas of particular interest in Japan and beyond for future maritime ISR systems," Johnson said.

Newsham said Japan needs to go beyond its traditional focus on systems and technology and focus on better integration between the services and between Japan and the US, particularly since the alliance partners have just updated their defense guidelines touting "seamless" cooperation.

"More effective ISR allows Japan to make more of a contribution to the overall US-Japan defense effort. … Japan has some good ISR hardware, but it hasn't created a coherent national ISR network that collects intelligence from all sources, properly assesses and classifies it, and disseminates it to the right end users — both in Japan and elsewhere," Newsham said.

Japan Boosts ISR Abilities Across Domains

@Nihonjin1051 :yahoo: :cheers:
 
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he he he, no navy ever threatened Japan but the US Navy.

Remember that. ;)

Can you compare Chinese Navy with Japanese Navy?:wave:

Or you prefer missiles/Air Force?

They have 3 major fleets: a) South Sea Fleet, b) East Sea Fleet, c) North Sea Fleet.

But in order to surround the Japanese Archipelago (over 6,900 islands) , one has to effectively address the Japanese Navy, which in its own right is composed of 4 Fleets: a) 1st Escort Fleet , b) 2nd Escort Fleet, c) 3rd Escort Fleet and d) 4th Escort Fleet. The JMSDF --- plans to maintain a Destroyer Fleet Size of 55 Destroyers, not including the light destroyers (frigates), heavy corvettes, submarines, carriers.

China has a growing naval force, one that is to be respected and studied. A direct confrontation between the two great navies of Asia -- the JMSDF and the PLAN would be a massive engagement, one that would ultimately bring the presence of the US Navy, specifically the US Pacific Command's 7th Fleet.

Japan will continue , now that we have removed limitations to our power projection (and will ultimately enact a more offensive power mandate) , there is little to any naval force that we consider a threat. Coupled with our alliance and equal partnership with the United States --- any threat to Japan throughout the globe will be handled accordingly.

You have to learn how to build engine, radar and missiles first.....
 
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Humba (Surigaonon) is one of my favorite filipino dish next to Kinilaw (fish, shrimp, squid)

Tagay na pre! Kanpai!
 
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Hai! Surigao del Sur. My little town is right next to the beach facing the Pacific ocean. That's where I'm going this September :)


I've never been to Surigao, tho there's so much history there ! The Battle of Surigao Strait, specifically. :)

All this time I was talking to you in Tagalog, i thought you were from Luzon, hehe, sorry ha. Hilig ka sa Binisayang Sinug-buanon, bai? Atoha atoha ra ni ha,--- mas kahibalo pa ko sa Sinugbuanon kay sa Tagalog. I took an immersion class in Cebu years ago. Naa pod ka pamilya sa Surigao, bai? O naa ba sila tanan diri sa Amerika?


Daghan Salamat !
 
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I've never been to Surigao, tho there's so much history there ! The Battle of Surigao Strait, specifically. :)

All this time I was talking to you in Tagalog, i thought you were from Luzon, hehe, sorry ha. Hilig ka sa Binisayang Sinug-buanon, bai? Atoha atoha ra ni ha,--- mas kahibalo pa ko sa Sinugbuanon kay sa Tagalog. I took an immersion class in Cebu years ago. Naa pod ka pamilya sa Surigao, bai? O naa ba sila tanan diri sa Amerika?


Daghan Salamat !
Ok lang bay. Surigaonon ang among sinultihan. Some words are a little different but dali ra masabtan kay bisaya man gihapon. Some words with an "L" are switched with "y" and "Y" with "j".
Balay=bayay
tulo=tuyo
walay biyaay = wayay bijaay (walang iwanan)
Bisaya=Bisaja :)

Ang amohang lungsod gamay kaayo pero nagproduce kami ng mga generals like Lt. Gen. W.Hotchkiss III ret. (current civil aviation authority president) and his bro brig. Gen. C . Hotchkiss ret. And current commanding general of Phil army Lt. Gen. Irriberi.


Ang tanan akong immediate family, Nia sa America.
 
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Ok lang bay. Surigaonon ang among sinultihan. Some words are a little different but dali ra masabtan kay bisaya man gihapon. Some words with an "L" are switched with "y" and "Y" with "j".
Balay=bayay
tulo=tuyo
walay biyaay = wayay bijaay (walang iwanan)
Bisaya=Bisaja :)

Ang amohang lungsod gamay kaayo pero nagproduce kami ng mga generals like Lt. Gen. W.Hotchkiss III ret. (current civil aviation authority president) and his bro brig. Gen. C . Hotchkiss ret. And current commanding general of Phil army Lt. Gen. Irriberi.


Ang tanan akong immediate family, Nia sa America.



Kuyawa gayod ang mga Bisaya, Bai. Sa una ning tour ko sa battle field sites sa Cebu, sa Bohol, sa Southern Leyte (site of one of the largest naval battles in the world, in history). Kadto sa Battle for Leyte Gulf og invasion sa mga Amerikano , ning gawas gayod ang mga Pilipinong rebelde, all out war against the Imperial Army na gi station sa Leyte. Kuyaw na kuyaw gayod ang mga soldadong Pilipino kai mo ambush , mo gamit og arang ka dakog kuchilyo nga tawag kono og "Sundang". Isug gayod ang mga Pinoy!

Sige, nice to get to know you more here, bai. Unya Unya na pod. :)
 
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Kuyawa gayod ang mga Bisaya, Bai. Sa una ning tour ko sa battle field sites sa Cebu, sa Bohol, sa Southern Leyte (site of one of the largest naval battles in the world, in history). Kadto sa Battle for Leyte Gulf og invasion sa mga Amerikano , ning gawas gayod ang mga Pilipinong rebelde, all out war against the Imperial Army na gi station sa Leyte. Kuyaw na kuyaw gayod ang mga soldadong Pilipino kai mo ambush , mo gamit og arang ka dakog kuchilyo nga tawag kono og "Sundang". Isug gayod ang mga Pinoy!

Sige, nice to get to know you more here, bai. Unya Unya na pod. :)
Kuyaw kaayo mga old Filipinos, the real warriors. Karon ambot nalang haha. Wala sab makapildi sa kamikaze pilots bay..ako lang cguro gasulti ani, pero dako ako respeto sa ila...murag mas Kuyaw sila..the loyalty for the country and the emperor, way makapildi..
 
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Kuyaw kaayo mga old Filipinos, the real warriors. Karon ambot nalang haha. Wala sab makapildi sa kamikaze pilots bay..ako lang cguro gasulti ani, pero dako ako respeto sa ila...murag mas Kuyaw sila..the loyalty for the country and the emperor, way makapildi..


Tho our people were enemies in the past, i admire so much that we are now friends and allies. Long may our peoples' bond last...forever. :)

@Nihonjin1051 How about starting a thread for Japanese Air force related news and capabilities only

I'm surprised that they haven't upgraded their F2's to Blk 52 / 61 standards


That's a good advice Sadiq @Indus Falcon ! Let's start one :)

Maybe we can start an air + aerospace thread. :)
 
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