Japan to develop fighter-launched UAV

[nandu]

Japan continues to develop fighter-launched UAV, despite test mishap

Fuji Heavy Industries is continuing to develop a fixed-wing unmanned air vehicle that can be deployed from under the wing of a fighter aircraft.

The conglomerate is developing the UAV for Japan's air force, say industry sources in the country. It has built two so far, but lost one during testing, they add.

The UAV was deployed from under the wing of an air force Mitsubishi/Lockheed Martin F-2 fighter before plunging into the sea, and was not recovered, the sources say.

Officials at Fuji have declined to comment.

Fuji is the smallest of Japan's three major aerospace conglomerates. Mitsubishi has the lion's share of fighter manufacturing, while Kawasaki Heavy Industries is dominant in military transports.

In recent years Fuji has tried to grow its business by investing in the development of UAVs for military and commercial customers.

It built three forward flying observation system unmanned helicopters for the Japanese army's artillery units. It also developed a civil version of the design dubbed the RPH-2, which carries a chemical pesticide tank and spray boom for agricultural use.

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[LETHALFORCE]

Is Japan allowed to build weaponry or are UAV classified as defensive? Japan is sending a message to China and North korea.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Japanese were already developed their air launched UAVs which can land back on their own, Japan is a very friendly country to India before WW2 and after WW2, But Japanese have certain law which restrict them to sell weapons since 1945, but hopefully new govt will change the laws, Militarily and in Civillian tech Both country can learn lots of things and co-development military and civilian hardwares..