Mitsubishi F-1 Close-Support / Ground Attack Fighter - History, Specs and Pictures

Authored By Staff Writer

The Mitsubishi was based highly on the T-2 Advanced Trainer and replaced the aging F-86 Sabre designs in Japanese service.

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The Mitsubishi F-1 fighter aircraft was a milestone design for the small island country as it represented the nations first all-Japanese design and produced fighter since the closing days of World War 2. Based highly on the existing T-2 advanced trainer (also a Mitsubishi product), the F-1 served a vital role for the Japanese Air Self Defense Forces for a number of years replacing the aged North American F-86 Sabres and eventually being superceded itself by the Mitsubishi F-2 series (itself a further development of the General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon model series). Seventy-seven total examples were produced of this solid if unspectacular aircraft from 1977 to 1987.

As mentioned above, the F-1 was derived from the Mitsubishi T-2 trainer aircraft and retained an almost exact external appearance to that aircraft. The major difference between the two designs lay in the removal of the secondary rear cockpit and replacing that area with avionics systems. The F-1 also featured a strengthened internal structure to make the system a viable weapons delivery platform. Standard armament consisted of an internal 20mm Vulcan cannon and wingtip hardpoints could carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile. Additional underwing and underfuselage hardpoints allowed for more external munitions to be carried and expanded the defined role of the F-1 to include close-support and anti-shipping duties as needed.

The FS-T2-Kai prototype appeared in three examples by 1972 with the production F-1s beginning in 1977. In addition to being replaced by the F-2 series, the F-1 is also being replaced in limited numbers by upgraded F-4EJ "Kai" series of Phantom II aircraft. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Mitsubishi F-1
Close-Support / Ground Attack Fighter

Country of Origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - Japan
Initial Year of Service: 1977
Production: 77

Focus Model: Mitsubishi F-1
Crew: 1

Length: 58.56ft (17.85m)
Width: 25.85ft (7.88m)
Height: 14.70ft (4.48m)
Weight (Empty): 14,017lbs (6,358kg)
Weight (MTOW): 30,203lbs (13,700kg)

Powerplant: 2 x Ishikawajima-Harima TF40-IHI-801A afterburning turbofans generating 7,305lbs of thrust each.

Maximum Speed: 1,056mph (1,700kmh; 918kts)
Maximum Range: 217miles (350km)
Service Ceiling: 50,000ft (15,240m; 9.5miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 35,000 feet per minute (10,668m/min)

Hardpoints: 9 (including wingtip mounts)
Armament Suite:
1 x 20mm JM61 Vulcan cannon

2 x AIM-9L OR Mitsubishi AAM-1 air-to-air missiles on wingtip mounts.
2 x ASM-1 anti-ship missiles

Variants:
T-2 - Advanced Trainer on which the F-1 is based on.

FS-T2-Kai - Provisional Designation

F-1 - Prototype and Production Model Designation

Operators:
Japan

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