Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin

The Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin (三菱 X-2 心神, formerly the ATD-X) is a Japanese experimental aircraft for testing advanced stealth fighter aircraft technologies. It was developed by the Japanese Ministry of Defense Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) for research purposes while the project's prime contractor is the Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It is commonly considered to be Japan's first domestically made stealth fighter. ATD-X is an abbreviation for "Advanced Technology Demonstrator – X". The aircraft is widely known in Japan as Shinshin (心神; meaning "mind" or "spirit.") although the name itself is an early code name within the Japan Self-Defense Forces and is not officially in use. Following the rebuffing of Japanese interest in the prospective procurement of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft, the Japanese Government resolved to develop the technologies towards a future combat aircraft. These technologies are not limited to only stealth-related features but to other advanced systems, including 3-D thrust vectoring, a fly-by-optics flight control system, and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Following preliminary work with flyable scale models, construction activity commenced at Mitsubishi's Komaki South Plant in 2009. The official unveiling of the resultant aircraft, X-2 Shinshin, was performed in January 2016; it made its maiden flight on 22 April 2016. The X-2 programme has led to the start-up of the Mitsubishi F-X sixth-generation fighter program, as well as Japan's involvement in the Global Combat Air Programme. It is intended that these programmes should ultimately yield a next-generation fighter aircraft that would be procured and operated by the Japan Air Self Defense Force.

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