Mitsubishi T-2
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries · Japan · first flew 1971 · fighter
The Mitsubishi T-2 was Japan's first domestically designed supersonic aircraft and the JASDF's advanced jet trainer from 1975, directly forming the basis for the F-1 support fighter.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Area-ruled fuselage with swept wings and a pronounced area ruling waist |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- SEPECAT Jaguar-like twin-engine tandem-seat trainer with side-by-side intakes
- Area-ruled fuselage with swept wings and a pronounced area ruling waist
- JASDF two-tone camouflage or natural metal with blue training markings
Resembles the SEPECAT Jaguar with twin side-by-side under-fuselage intakes, swept wings, and a two-seat tandem cockpit; the round fuselage cross-section and mid-wing placement distinguish it from the single-seat F-1.
Specifications
- The Mitsubishi T-2 has a length of 17.86 m (59 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.88 m (26 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1708 km/h (1061 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Japan's postwar constitution limited military aviation, but the JASDF needed a supersonic trainer to prepare pilots for the F-104J Starfighter. Mitsubishi won the contract in 1967 and based the design on the SEPECAT Jaguar's airframe; the T-2 first flew on 20 July 1971. A total of 96 were built, and the type pioneered all-Japanese aerospace manufacturing at the supersonic level. It was operated by the Blue Impulse aerobatic team from 1982 to 1995.
Variants
The T-2 was produced as the standard two-seat advanced trainer; a combat-capable T-2(Z) close-support variant with weapons capability was later adapted into the single-seat F-1.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the JASDF from 1975 until retirement in 2006 when replaced by the T-4; several examples are preserved at Japanese air bases and the Hamamatsu Air Park.
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- Mitsubishi F-2
- Mitsubishi Ki-51
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- IAI Nesher
- IAI Nesher T
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