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Jet Attack Aircraft

Mitsubishi F-1

The first supersonic jet warplane designed and constructed by Japan after World War II.

Japan Introduced 1977 Mitsubishi Heavy IndustriesRole: Close air support and anti-ship strike

Specifications

Top Speed
1,056 mph
Combat Range
345 miles
Crew
1 pilot
Armament
One 20 mm Vulcan cannon plus anti-ship missiles
The Mitsubishi F-1 of Japan

History

During the Cold War, Japan needed a modern jet that could patrol coastlines and strike enemy invasion fleets at sea. Engineers built the F-1 using the body of the twin-engine T-2 training jet.

The F-1 was fast enough to fly past the speed of sound. It was outfitted with advanced radar and designed to fire modern anti-ship missiles against approaching hostile warships.

The jet defended Japanese waters alongside American allies throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It proved that Japan could once again engineer its own high-performance military aircraft.

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