Japan asks the US and UK to help rescue its F-3 stealth fighter jet.

Reuters reported on March 8, citing Japanese military sources, that Tokyo sent its third request for information (RFI) this month to defense contractors seeking proposals for the F-3 stealth fighter jet project.

Unlike the previous two batches, this RFI was sent only to companies in the US and Europe, with a more detailed document for London and Washington. A Japanese defense official stated:

"Japan expects to receive specific design proposals based on an existing aircraft model." The two previous RFI sessions did not yield any detailed proposals.

F-3 stealth fighter jet undergoes test flight.

The representative stated that existing fighter aircraft airframes that Japan could use include the F-35 Lightning II from Lockheed Martin Corp, or the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (Boeing); and the European Eurofighter Typhoon...

British news agencies suggest that Japan's urgent call for cooperation from the US and UK in developing the F-3 stealth fighter program stems from the fact that the project is at risk of being abandoned at any moment due to various reasons.

The F-3 fighter jet is considered one of the world's most exciting military programs in the near future, as it is estimated that it will require approximately $40 billion to complete.

Nevertheless, the Japanese government is currently considering postponing the program, despite its high demand for stealth aircraft. "The decision on the F-3 project will be delayed," a source from the Japanese Ministry of Defense said.

Besides having to postpone the F-3 fighter jet program, Japan is also considering two options: relying entirely on domestic resources or seeking international cooperation. And the option of international cooperation has been quietly pursued by Tokyo.

According to Jane's Defence Weekly, Japan and the UK have reached an agreement at the intergovernmental committee level. This deal will accelerate Tokyo's ongoing ATD-X (Advanced Technology Demonstrator - X, also known as F-3) stealth fighter program, with the first prototype, the X-2, having made its maiden flight in April 2016.

Before agreeing to jointly develop the F-3 program with Japan, as early as 2014, the UK and Japan established the Joint New Air-to-Air Missile (JNAAM) center for the development of next-generation long-range air-to-air missiles, based on MBDA Meteor missile technology.

Britain and Japan plan to use a new, jointly developed missile on the F-35 and ATD-X fighter jets. Although Japan hasn't specified the reason for delaying the F-3 program, according to Jane's, Tokyo is facing an impasse with this ambitious aircraft program.

According to a British magazine citing sources from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, the F-3 program had experienced repeated delays in testing up to the point of its first successful flight due to several reasons.

According to the source, the delay is due to further testing of the aircraft's restart system in the event of a sudden stop during flight. The source emphasized that, in addition to changes in testing plans, the manufacturing facility may also be forced to seek additional funding to complete the project.

The F-3 aircraft program was reportedly created to replace the aging F-2 fighter jets currently in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

According to the plan, the first test flights of the F-3 aircraft were supposed to take place in 2014, but this was later postponed to March 2015 and finally to April 2016.

Although the Japanese manufacturer claims that the delay in testing is merely a matter of further checking the starting system, Jane's magazine believes this is actually a serious problem facing Japan.

Specifically, if the aircraft's launch system malfunctions, the aircraft will lack the necessary maneuverability in air combat situations (such as dives, sudden descents, and changes of direction...).

If the starting system malfunctions, the aircraft is at high risk of crashing, not to mention being shot down by the enemy.

According to the limited information released by Japan, the F-3 stealth fighter program is being developed using stealth technology, including an aerodynamic shape that scatters radar waves, electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials, and composite materials.

Furthermore, Japan's future fighter jets will be equipped with a multi-mode radar with an active phased array antenna, a remote control system, an electronic warfare system, and an integrated information exchange system.

In fact, according to many experts, Japan's F-3 fighter jet is more than capable of defeating China's J-20 stealth fighter jet in a confrontation.