ATD-X Internal Arrangement Revealed
The internal arrangement of Japan's ATD-X Shinshin stealth technology demonstrator is revealed in drawings released by the Defense Ministry's Technical Research and Development Institute.
One drawing clearly shows the S-curve ducts, whose shape could already be inferred from external views of models.
More interestingly, a longitudinal cutaway shows the pilot's seat placed far forward under the generously long canopy. It looks like there's room for a second seat if the equipment right behind the pilot can be moved elsewhere or taken out. And if it is test equipment, then it could be taken out.
The sensor in the nose is passive. The tail fins are very reminiscent of the F-22's, but the planform is quite conventional, as seen on earlier pictures of models, which suggests the ATD-X is not so optimized for a low radar cross section as either the F-22 or F-35. The mainplane has its leading edge aligned with the tops of the inlets. It looks a lot like that of the dormant EADS Mako.
Provision for a second seat is very suggestive. The aircraft is supposed to be only a technology demonstrator, not a prototype for an operational combat aircraft. But, if so, why has it been arranged to accept a second seat, which a demonstrator doesn't need?
The possibility of developing a training version has been raised, but surely no one needs a stealth trainer.
That leaves the suspicion that the designers are sensibly keeping open the option of developing a fighter from the aircraft, perhaps with an eye to replacing Mitsubishi F-2s.
The ATD-X will be unarmed, but a stealth fighter needs an internal weapons bay. Where would it fit in this aircraft, whose weights and thrust put it in the class of the Saab Gripen?
Look again at the first picture. The inlet ducts seem to be well separated. There may be enough volume for weapons between them in the lower fuselage.
Admittedly, squeezing a weapons bay and a second seat into the aircraft wouldn't leave a lot of space for fuel.
We can probably rule out an F-22 weapons arrangement, with bays in the fuselage sides abreast the ducts. The side view seems to show the main gears taking up too much of that space.
Credit: TRDI.
ATD-X Internal Arrangement Revealed