On December 17, Japan's Self-Defense Forces faced another major incident, as an F-15 fighter encountered a danger in the air. It seems that the J-15 pilot showed mercy!
That day, after completing a routine flight mission, ground personnel discovered that a piece of aluminum alloy measuring almost the size of an A3 sheet was missing from the bottom of the aircraft. This detached part was 41.5 cm long, 20.5 cm wide, and had a thickness between 2 to 5 mm.
What is more alarming is that neither the pilot nor the ground control system could determine when it fell off.
During flight, especially in high-altitude and high-speed combat environments, the unexpected detachment of such structural parts is no small matter. The F-15J is Japan's main air superiority fighter, responsible for daily patrols, intercepts, and even potential high-intensity air combat missions.
If external or skin-type structures become loose during flight, it can cause damage to aerodynamic shape, affect handling stability, and in severe cases, may damage the engine intake, tail wing, or even trigger chain failures.
Now thinking back, the J-15 carrier-based fighter must have shown mercy when locking onto the Japanese F-15J. If the J-15 forced the Japanese F-15J to perform sharp evasive maneuvers or high-G maneuvers, the consequences would have been unimaginable. In other words, if the J-15 pilot had truly taken more aggressive tactical actions, with the current exposed condition of the F-15J, it might have been difficult for it to escape unscathed.
Japan's aerial forces are currently facing a "new and old alternation gap" dilemma: the F-2 support fighter is severely aged, the F-35 has not yet formed a complete combat capability, and the F-15J has been frequently encountering issues. In this context, Takahashi Hayato's call to intervene in the Taiwan Strait is really not considering the actual situation at all.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851811467860105/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.