Japan unveils its first stealth plane

Japan has unveiled its first homemade stealth plane.

The experimental X-2 is expected to make its maiden test flight in February, and boasts radar-resistance features, including a canopy with special stealth-enhancing coating.

Defense officials said the aircraft is designed to test the stealth technology that would possibly be combined with the next-generation fighter jet, replacing the fleet of F-2 fighters as early as 2028.

The experimental X-2 is expected to make its maiden test flight in February and has radar-resistance features, including a canopy with special stealth-enhancing coating, and mobility.

It comes as Japan tries to catch up on the technology and enhance its reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities as China expands its own military presence in the region.

It would become the fourth nation to test fly its own stealth jet, a move that could further antagonize neighboring Asian countries who have opposed Prime Minister Shinzo Abes bid to strengthen the role of its armed forces.

Russia flew its first stealth fighter in 2010 and China followed a year later, though each country’s programs have experienced delays and other setbacks.

The U.S. has flown stealth aircraft since the 1980s.

The red-and-white aircraft, with a 14-meter (45-foot) -long fuselage and 9-meter (30-foot) -long wingspan, sat inside a hanger at the Nagoya Airport in central Japan.

Led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, the stealth plane comes with radar-resistance features, including a canopy with special stealth-enhancing coating, and mobility.

The red-and-white aircraft, with a 14-meter (45-foot) -long fuselage and 9-meter (30-foot) -long wingspan, sat inside a hanger at the Nagoya Airport in central Japan.

The X-2—previously known as ATD-X, for Advanced Technology Demonstrator X—was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

'I cannot go into details, but we recognize it is technologically at a very high level,' said Takahiro Yoshida, an official in charge of the project at the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency of the Defense Ministry.

The 40 billion yen ($340 million) project began in 2009.