The Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fighter based on the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle in use by the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.
The F-15J was produced under license by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The subsequent F-15DJ and F-15J Kai variants were also produced.
Japan is the largest customer of the F-15 Eagle outside the United States.
In addition to combat, F-15DJ roles include training.
The F-15J Kai is a modernized version of the F-15J.
F-15J/DJs are identical to F-15C/Ds aside from the ECM, radar warning system, and nuclear equipment.
The AN/ALQ-135 Internal Countermeasures System is replaced by the indigenous J/ALQ-8 and the AN/ALR-56 Radar Warning Receiver is replaced by the J/APR-4.
The engine is the Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan, produced under license by IHI Corporation.
Some aircraft still have an inertial measurement unit, an old type of the Inertial navigation system.
All F-15J/DJs have two UHF radios, which are also VHF capable.
The F-15J is characterized by an indigenous data link, but they do not support Link 16 FDL mounted by USAF F-15Cs.
It works as a basic bidirectional link with the Japanese ground-controlled intercept network, and it is limited because it is not a true network.
Mitsubishi received the F-15C/D Multistage Improvement Program (MSIP) and in 1987 began upgrading the F-15J/DJs.
Improvements included an uprated central computer, engines, armament control set and added the J/APQ-1 countermeasures set.
The F100-PW-220 (IHI-220) was upgraded to the F100-PW-220E (IHI-220E) with a digital engine electronic control retrofit.
Differences in appearance from earlier F-15Js include the J/ALQ-8 ICS with an ICS antenna mounted under the intake.
The J/APQ-4 RWR antenna position on the F-15J/DJs is the same as F-15C/Ds, but the lens of F-15J/DJ MSIPs is black rather than white for F-15C/Ds.
F-15Js have been equipped with the Japanese-built AAM-3 missile, an improved AIM-9 Sidewinder follow-on with distinctive “barbed” forward fins.
Japan has been investigating an advanced fighter to replace the F-15, meanwhile the F-15J fleet is being modernized.
On 28 July 2003, the first upgraded F-15J (#928) made its first flight, and it was delivered to the JASDF Air Development Test Wing on 21 October 2003.
On 10 December 2004, the Japanese Government approved a Mid-Term Defence Program (MTDP) to modernize the F-15J MSIPs over five years in accordance with new National Defence Program Guidelines.
The upgrade is being implemented in phases, but ultimately the upgrade will include a new ejection seat; replaced IHI-220E engines; more powerful processor; uprated electrical generation and cooling capabilities to support more avionics and the Raytheon AN/APG-63(V)1 radar, which has been produced under license by Mitsubishi Electric since 1997.
Raytheon expects the radar will ultimately be installed in 80 F-15Js.
The new radar will support the AAM-4 missile, the Japanese answer to the AMRAAM.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) requested the modernization and deployment of reconnaissance aircraft in June 2007, and it was planned to upgrade some F-15Js with synthetic aperture radar pods; these aircraft would replace the RF-4 Phantom IIs currently in service.
On 17 December 2009, the reconnaissance upgrade disappeared from the budget after the Democratic Party of Japan took power following the 2009 general election, and priority was given instead to improvement of the F-15J and the Mitsubishi F-2.
The number of F-15J upgrades was increased from 26 to 48, and the MoD purchased part of the modernization for 38 fighters.
However, the full budget for modernization is incomplete. 48 F-15Js will get a Link 16 datalink and helmet-mounted sight.
The helmet-mounted sight will support the AAM-5 dogfighting missile, which will replace the AAM-3.
On 17 December 2010, modernization was funded for 16 F-15Js, but the MoD reduced this to 10 F-15Js.
In late October 2019 the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency approved a possible sale to Japan of up to 103 APG-82(v)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radars, 116 Advanced Display Core Processor II Mission System Computers and 101 AN/ALQ-239 Digital Electronic Warfare Systems for the upgrade of 98 F-15Js to a “Japanese Super Interceptor” (JSI) configuration for an estimated cost of $4.5 billion.
It can also carry a large air-to-surface weapon on its centreline weapon station, such as an AGM-158B JASSM-ER or AGM-158C LRASM, giving the aircraft an air-to-ground and anti-ship capability.
In July 2020, Boeing signed an agreement with MHI to provide assistance and support to the program.
Work is set to start in 2022.
Variants
F-15J
Single-seat all-weather air-superiority fighter version for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force,
139 built under license in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1981-97, two built in St. Louis.
F-15DJ
Two-seat training version for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.
12 built in St. Louis, and 25 built under license in Japan by Mitsubishi in the period 1981–1997.
