Mitsubishi F-2
The Mitsubishi F-2 was developed jointly by Japan and the United States, based on the F-16's basic design but substantially modified with a larger wing, a Japanese-built composite structure, and Japanese-developed avionics and radar. That larger wing gives it noticeably better maneuverability and weapon capacity than the standard F-16 it's derived from, at a considerably higher unit cost driven by the bespoke Japanese development work. It serves exclusively with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, tasked primarily with defending Japan's coastline and territorial waters. Its high cost limited production to a comparatively small fleet despite its capability.
.jpg){kind=link}
Did you know?
Based on the F-16 but built with a larger wing and Japanese composite structure, the F-2 flies only with Japan's air force.
Specifications
| Length | 15.5 m (51 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 11.1 m (37 ft) |
| Height | 5.1 m (17 ft) |
| Persons on board | 1 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 22.1 t |
| Range | 830 NM (1,537 km) |
| Maximum speed | 1,189 kt (2,202 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 50,000 ft (15,240 m) |
| Rate of climb | 44,300 ft/min (225 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 1,200 m (3,937 ft) |
| Landing distance | 850 m (2,789 ft) |
| Fuel capacity | 4,640 l |
| Engines | 1x General Electric F110 |
| Units built | 98 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Mitsubishi F-2 starts as a Legendary catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you. The first catch of a legendary type pays a bonus of its own.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Mitsubishi, the F-2 family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
More from the F-2 family
Catch it yourself.CatchFlights shows the aircraft flying near you on a radar, so a type like this one is only a catch away when it passes overhead. Explore CatchFlights.
Browse all aircraft types, or learn to tell Airbus from Boeing.