Japan's X-2 fifth-generation demonstrator makes maiden flight | IHS Jane's 360

The aircraft is billed as a technology demonstrator rather than a prototype for an operational platform, with its design features appearing to indicate an emphasis on stealth and manoeuvrability, with co-cured composites and radar-absorbent materials; 'smart' skin sensors; and nose-mounted passive radio frequency (RF) sensor and infrared (IR) seeker all evident. The avionics and sensor fit has not yet been fully disclosed, but an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar of some description would be an almost certainty.