Japan Sankei report… “An announcement expected soon.”
Japan’s Sankei Shimbun reported on the 21st that the U.S. and Japanese governments have agreed to conduct joint technological research in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles linked to fighter jets, surrounding Japan’s next fighter jet, which is scheduled to be deployed in 2035.
The newspaper reported this, citing a U.S. Department of Defense technical official. The two countries are expected to make an announcement soon.
The U.S. Department of Defense and Japan’s Ministry of Defense and Defense Equipment Agency plan to hold a meeting of the newly established ‘Defense Science and Technology Cooperation Group’ in September this year to discuss ways to promote technological cooperation, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
A U.S. Department of Defense technical official explained to the newspaper that this group meeting will be held next year to develop U.S.-Japan technological cooperation. “We will leverage the knowledge and strengths of both countries to deter aggression and protect our country,” he said.
Japan is jointly developing the next fighter jet with the UK and Italy. The goal is to deploy the first unit by 2035.
Specifically, the target of joint U.S.-Japan research is unmanned aerial vehicle (autonomous system) technology that flies along with next-generation fighter jets, makes autonomous decisions, and supports combat.
The joint operation of fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles is attracting attention as a ‘game changer’ that changes the way of combat.
The U.S. government supports the development of next-generation fighter jets by the UK, Italy, and Japan and has been exploring the possibility of cooperation with Japan on unmanned aerial vehicles linked to fighter jets.
Sankei analyzed, “The United States and Japan decided that cooperation utilizing each other’s powerful technologies would lead to the development of equipment to secure superiority (leading) in the aviation (field) (in the world).”
The U.S. and Japanese governments also made this study an agenda item in the Security Consultative Committee of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense (2+2), saying, “It will enable joint response to future threats.”
Unmanned aerial vehicles that support fighter jets collect information through radar and sensors. It is expected to support enemy attack roles, such as supporting fighter pilots. Pilot sacrifice can also be suppressed. There are also advantages, such as making up for the shortage of planes against China, which has a large aviation power.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.