AIRFRAME RECORD · Fighters & Interceptors

Mitsubishi F-2A

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries / Lockheed Martin · Japan

SERVICE ENTRY2000Modern
INTERACTIVE 3D · DRAG TO ORBIT
BuilderMitsubishi Heavy Industries / Lockheed Martin
OriginJapan
Archive classFighters & Interceptors
Service entry2000
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01 · TECHNICAL RECORD [1]

AIRFRAME
ANATOMY.

Performance and mechanical data are combined here for a faster, more compact read. Values describe the represented model or nearest clearly identified source variant.

Performance and mechanical specifications for Mitsubishi F-2A
Primary roleMultirole fighter
Crew1 pilot
ConfigurationEnlarged F-16-derived fighter
Powerplant1 × GE F110-GE-129 turbofan
Top speedMach 2 class
Ceiling50,000+ ft
Published range2,600 mi ferry
Length51 ft 1 in
Wingspan / rotor36 ft 7 in
Weight≈48,700 lb maximum

02 · SERVICE CHRONOLOGY

FROM ORIGIN
TO LEGACY.

A dated sequence follows the airframe from development through operational use and later evolution. The number of milestones follows the story rather than a fixed template, and each note explains why the event mattered—not only what happened.

  1. ORIGIN

    Japan selected an F-16-based approach for the FS-X program. [1]

  2. DEVELOPMENT

    The XF-2A prototype first flew. [1]

  3. SERVICE HISTORY

    The F-2 entered Japan Air Self-Defense Force service. [1]

  4. SERVICE HISTORY

    Tsunami-damaged aircraft at Matsushima prompted a major recovery program. [1]

  5. CONTEXT & LEGACY

    Weapons and networking upgrades bridge the fleet toward a successor. [1]

03 · ARCHIVAL IMAGE

THE AIRFRAME
IN CONTEXT.

A documented photograph or archival reference connects the interactive model to a real airframe, operation, or preserved example.

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force Mitsubishi F-2A at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
Mitsubishi F-2A at Guam2007 · U.S. Air ForceWikimedia Commons · Public domain — U.S. federal government work · Accessed 3 September 2026VIEW ORIGINAL FILE & RIGHTS RECORD

04 · OPERATIONAL FACTS [S]

HOW IT
WORKED.

Focused facts connect the airframe's systems to the way it was built, flown, or used.

  1. 01

    Larger wing

    The F-2 has greater wing area and span than an F-16.

  2. 02

    Composite milestone

    Its co-cured composite wing was an ambitious production application.

  3. 03

    Early AESA

    The J/APG-1 made it an early operational AESA-equipped fighter.

05 · HISTORICAL FIELD NOTE

WHY IT
MATTERS.

Developed from the F-16 design, the F-2 grew a larger wing and tail, incorporated extensive composite structure, and introduced an operational active electronically scanned array radar. Its proportions reflect Japan's emphasis on maritime strike, range, and a large anti-ship payload. [1]

Reference figures vary by variant, payload, configuration, altitude, test method, and source. Values here are an editorial orientation—not operational or flight-planning data.

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06 · SOURCES & METHOD

TRACE THE
RECORD.

Each numbered citation links to an operator, national museum, manufacturer, or established research institution. The scope note tells you exactly what that source supports, and each entry includes its retrieval date.

  1. 01F-2 fighter aircraftJapan Ministry of Defense · Operator overview of the F-2 · Accessed 2 Sep 2026

Where the represented model and source variant differ, the scope is labelled rather than silently treated as an exact match. Read the editorial policy, report a correction through the legal notice, or review 3D-model provenance in the attribution directory.