Japanese Media: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to Produce Sixth-Generation Fighter
According to Kyodo News on the 25th, multiple sources have revealed that the Komaki South Factory of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Toyama Town, Aichi Prefecture, will serve as Japan's production base for the sixth-generation fighter jet and play a central role in airframe assembly.
The Komaki South Factory is already capable of assembling the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s mainstay fighter, the F-35A. Discussions regarding the division of design and manufacturing responsibilities are still ongoing, and key assembly processes may also be handled at bases in the United Kingdom and Italy.
In February 2023, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced its withdrawal from the development of the SpaceJet (formerly known as MRJ), Japan’s first domestically developed jetliner, shifting its focus instead toward the development of next-generation fighters as a core business. Engineers previously involved in the SpaceJet project have been reassigned to leverage their expertise in this new initiative.
British engineers have already arrived at the Komaki South Factory, participating in airframe design and other tasks.
Each participating country will establish one research and development base for the next-generation fighter, with Japan’s base expected to be established within one year. The United Kingdom’s base will be located at the Walton Centre for Business, while Italy’s will be based in Turin.
Original Source: toutiao.com/article/1871693260612618/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.