We’ve finally arrived! Introducing the Japanese F-2A multi-role fighter as a researchable variant, and the F-2A ADTW as a premium pack variant.
F-2A: A Jet Fighter for Japan at Rank VIII
At a glance:
Excellent flight characteristics
Advanced electronics
IR and ARH air-to-air missiles
Large amount of weaponry
No HMD
Pre-order - F-2A ADTW Pack
To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store!
79.99
F-2A ADTW (Rank VIII, Japan)
Premium account for 30 days
3000 Golden Eagles
Pre-order bonus: unique title “Viper Zero”
Pre-order bonus: unique “Gifu Air Base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force emblem” decal
Vehicle History
Jointly developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and American companies General Dynamics and Lockheed, the F-2A fighter is based on the American F-16 for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. While maintaining its basic aerodynamics, the F-2A received an enlarged wing made of composite materials, a reinforced fuselage and full Japanese avionics, including an AESA radar and an integrated fire control system.
The prototype first flew in 1995, and serial production of 94 aircraft (including F-2B combat trainers) was carried out from 2000 to 2011. Despite its technological advancement, the program faced a record cost of about $120 million per aircraft. During operation, problems with the resource of composite wings and electronics were revealed, requiring expensive upgrades.
Today, the F-2A remains the key strike aircraft of the Self-Defense Force. The unique experience of creating the F-2A allowed Japan to develop its own fifth-generation technology demonstrator, the X-2 Shinshin.
Introducing the F-2A!
Japan’s long-awaited top jet fighter is coming in the Leviathans major update! Meet the F-2A Viper Zero — an advanced multi-role aircraft, expertly crafted for modern air combat and the destruction of sea and ground targets with guided weapons from long distances. Plus, along with the researchable F-2A, a premium variant named the F-2A ADTW is available for pre-order starting today! Let’s take a closer look.
The F-2A’s appearance may look strikingly familiar, and that’s because it is based on the American F-16C Block 40. Despite looking similar, the F-2A received significant improvements in almost all combat characteristics. It has a longer wing, composite materials have been widely used in the fuselage and tail design, helping to increase the F-2A’s speed, rate of climb and maneuverability to the level of some of the best aircraft in the game.
Interesting: The F-2A has the nickname of “Viper Zero”! This name is combined from the F-16’s nickname of “Viper”, and the name of the classic A6M “Zero”.
As befits a multi-role jet aircraft, the F-2A’s arsenal allows it to perform any tasks, one of which is the ability to adequately take out naval targets without coming into direct contact with them. This is thanks to the ASM-1 and ASM-2 anti-ship missiles, which are new to the game! The first one has an ARH seeker with inertial guidance, while the second one has a seeker with IR and inertial guidance. Alongside these missiles is the excellent AAM-3 close-range missile, found on the Japanese F-15J. These missiles come stock for the aircraft and have a high maximum overload, a very long time of controlled flight and good IR countermeasures resistance. For other scenarios, you can research and use the AAM-4 medium-range missile, featuring a ARH homing head, which are approximately similar in efficiency and guidance to the American AIM-120A. To round them up, they have inertial guidance, a data-link, a decent available maximum overload and a launch range even higher than the American missile!
So we’ve spoken about the air-to-air and air-to-ship missiles, but what can be used against ground vehicles? There’s literally an entire arsenal. We’re talking the GBU-31 JDAM and the GBU-38 JDAM with satellite guidance, the more advanced GBU-54B LJDAM with laser, inertial and satellite guidance, to a large selection of regular and tail fin bombs with a total weight of over 5,000 kg per sortie, Zuni rockets and up to 342 Mighty Mouse rockets. To locate targets, the F-2A features its own J/AAQ-2 targeting pod, and a new Sniper pod is required for launching the LJDAM guided bombs!
As mentioned at the start of the text, today pre-orders for the F-2A Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW) have started! This one was created after a prototype for test purposes. This is truly an eye-catching aircraft, featuring slightly worse air-to-air missiles than its researchable variant, and it will not be able to launch GBU-54 or ARH missiles.
The anticipated F-2A Viper Zero and nice F-2A ADTW are coming to the game in the Leviathans major update, which is coming soon. See you around!
Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.