The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is developing new weapons to increase its lethality with the addition of armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) "wingmen" and a new type of UAV called "ballistic missile defense aircraft."

Both UAVs will fly alongside Japan's Mitsubishi F-3 stealth jet fighter currently under development and that should start being produced by 2027.

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The Ministry of Defense released new details about its plans for the JASDF, saying these two new types of aircraft will complement its fighter jets and increase their lethality in a future war where electronic warfare will play a key role. Both UAVs are being developed under the ministry's "Combat Support Unmanned Aircraft" program.

The ministry said the "UAV wingman," which will fly ahead of fighters to provide long-range early warning of threats, will serve as a defensive screen protecting manned JASDF fighters. The UAVs will receive command from the pilots controlling them. 

On the other hand, the ballistic-missile defense (BMD) UAV will use sophisticated sensor arrays to track ballistic missiles such as those operated by China and its ally, North Korea.

The first flyable demonstrator of the UAV wingman will be developed over the next 15 to 20 years. The BMD UAV should enter JASDF service by 2030.

A second version of the UAV wingman will be armed with air-to-air missiles. It will also play the role of a "missile sponge" by directing incoming missiles toward itself and away from the manned fighter.

Both the UAV wingman and the BMD UAV will have the same airframe and engine, according to the ministry.

The stealth F-3s will be updated to control both types of UAVs. The UAVs can automatically execute maneuvers with the manned fighter and will attack designated targets at the command of the human pilot. The drones will autonomously decide how best to execute the pilot's orders.

TagsJapan Air Self-Defense Force, JASDF, ballistic missile defense aircraft, UAV wingman, Mitsubishi F-3 stealth jet fighter, Ministry of Defense, Combat Support Unmanned Aircraft