F-29 Kestrel

F-29 Kestrel
RXAF F-29C during RED FLAG 2014
Role	Multi-role fighter
National origin	South Axiom, Japan
Manufacturer	Golas Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
First flight	11 August 1994 (F-29A)
Introduction	24 January 1999 (F-29A)
Status	In service
Primary users	Royal Axiomian Air Force Japanese Air Self Defense Force Royal Saudi Air Force Indian Air Force See Operators section for others
Produced	1996–present
Number built	948+ as of 12 January 2019
Program cost	US$153.1 billion (through 2043 in then-year dollars), US$12.3B for RDT&E, $40.8B for procurement, $1.6B for MILCON, $98.4B for operations & sustainment (2018 estimate)
Unit cost	F-29A/B: US$53.2M/55.1M F-29C/D: US$71.3M/74.6M F-2A/B: US$61.1M/63.8M F-2A/B Kai: US$81.1M/84.0M
Developed from	Golas Industries XF-29

The F-29 (or F-2) Kestrel is a 4.5th generation multi-role jet fighter, jointly developed by South Axiom and Japan. Development on the Kestrel started after the Third Axiom War of 1984. While the F-15 and F-24 performed admirably during the conflict, the RXAF required an advanced multi-role platform to respond to the continued threat from the former PRX.

The Kestrel was developed in a consortium between the Golas Corporation (South Axiom) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan). While Golas held the majority stake (70%) in the consortium, Mitsubishi contributed to the general design, avionics and manufacturing process. The JASDF was searching for a replacement for its ageing F-1 jets, but partnered with the RXAF and Golas after realizing sole development of a new fighter would be too expensive.

Design elements and parts were derived from the F-15 and F-24, but new technologies and domestic alternatives were often used. For example, the Kestrel marked the world's first use of an AESA radar array on a fighter aircraft, due to advanced South Axiomian and Japanese radar research. In addition, the Kestrel has Reduced Observability characteristics, with a lower RCS than its size would suggest (although not up to full stealth standards).

Since coming into service, the Kestrel has firmly established itself as one of the main fighters of the RXAF and JASDF. Its various design features have influenced fighter designers in other countries, and its role as a technology demonstrator paved the way for South Axiom and Japan's next fighter projects: the fifth-generation F-31 Scimitar (operational) and F-3 (under development).

The Kestrel's F114 engines enable limited super-cruise capability, as it has a high thrust-weight ratio. The C/D variant's engines are equipped with 2D thrust vectoring to improve maneuverability. The F-29 fleet will be modernized to a final E/F standard (Block 50/52) from 2020 with enhanced counter-stealth features and the UCAV integration carried out on RXAF F-15X and F/A-18F aircraft (F version only).

Variants

F-29A/B

The F-29A and F-29B were the initial single-seat and two-seat production variants of the Kestrel. A total of 246 F-29A and 64 F-29B were built for the RXAF and foreign customers. The basic Block 10 and 12 fighters were soon updated to the more comprehensive Block 20/22 standard, which had the full range of air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities laid out in the initial design plans.

F-29C/D

The Block 30/32 upgrades represented a major improvement to the Kestrel's capabilities, and were thus awarded the C/D designation. The engine was upgraded from the standard F414 to the F414-TI-429 to provide added thrust, and the AESA radar was given more power and range. The cockpit was partially redesigned to make piloting and operating the aircraft easier, and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) was adopted. A wider and updated range of weapons were also integrated with the aircraft. All previous aircraft were compatible with the upgrades, and existing F-29A/B aircraft received a Service Extension & Upgrade refit to raise them to the C/D standard. Since the first Block 30 aircraft was produced in 2005, more than 800 new F-29C/D aircraft have also been produced for or ordered by 14 nations.

The Block 40/42 upgrades further lowered the radar cross section of the aircraft through a Radar Absorbent Material (RAM) coating, and installed more powerful internal computers to help identify targets, threats and allied forces. A range of targeting and electronic countermeasures pods were also developed to counteract advances in Russian, Chinese and North Axiomian aircraft and air defense systems. Relatively new weapons and many European munitions were also integrated. Finally, the Block 40/42 acquired the Sky Warrior data-link system, which improved situational awareness and targeting capabilities by sharing battlefield information with similarly equipped aircraft (other Kestrels and several other types).

F-29E/F

The Block 50/52 upgrade, which will be applied to existing C/D aircraft from 2020, promises another major leap in capability. The F414-TI-429 engines will be replaced with the Tosar Industries F143-TI-230, with increased thrust and fuel efficiency. The F143, derived from the similar but larger F134 used on the F-31 Scimitar, will have 2D thrust vectoring to improve maneuverability. The two-seat F variant (Block 52) will also receive the UCAV integration upgrade performed on RXAF F-15X and RXN F/A-18F fighters in 2013~14. This integration, based on an enhanced Sky Warrior data-link and the AM-57A Vindicator UCAV, will allow a wider range of missions to be performed by the existing F-29 fleet. Finally, a set of counter-stealth and RCS-lowering measures (IRST, radar upgrades etc.) will be conducted to allow the F-29 to face 5th-generation fighters such as the Su-57 ot J-20.

Other Variants

F-2A/B

The F-2A/B is the Japanese designation for the JASDF variant of the Kestrel. Assembled within Japan and incorporating a higher portion of Japanese parts, the F-2 is the main multi-role fighter of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force. While slightly more expensive than the F-29A/B, it incorporates indigenous weapons such as the AAM-4. However, a significant portion of the F-29's ground attack capabilities are not present in the F-2, as Japan's constitution prevents certain (offensive) types of weaponry.

F-2A/B Kai

The F-2A/B Kai is the upgraded version of Japan's F-2A/B, corresponding to the F-29C/D operated by other nations. Increased focus was placed on the F-2's anti-ship role, due to Japan's island status and the Chinese and Russian navies. The F-2A/B Kai is projected to remain in JASDF service until the 2030s or 2040s.

Operators

F-29

Austria

• Austrian Air Force - 14 F-29A and 4 F-29B (upgraded to C/D standard in 2007~08)

Botswana

• Botswana Defense Force Air Wing - 10 F-29C and 4 F-29D planned

Brazil

• Brazilian Air Force - 18 F-29C and 5 F-29D currently delivered and operational, total of 56 and 16 planned

Chile

• Chilean Air Force - 18 F-29A and 6 F-29B (upgraded to C/D standard in 2011~13)

India

• Indian Air Force - 34 F-29C and 11 F-29D currently delivered and operational, total of 96 and 30 planned

Kuwait

• Kuwait Air Force - 10 F-29C and 3 F-29D currently delivered and operational, total of 22 and 6 planned

Malaysia

• Royal Malaysian Air Force - 14 F-29A and 4 F-29B (upgraded to C/D standard in 2010~12), 6 F-29C and 2 F-29D currently delivered and operational, total of 14 and 4 planned

Oman

• Royal Air Force of Oman - 11 F-29C and 4 F-29D currently delivered and operational, total of 18 and 6 planned

Peru

• Peruvian Air Force - 5 F-29C and 2 F-29D currently delivered and operational, total of 18 and 6 planned

Poland

• Polish Air Force - 38 F-29A and 10 F-29B (upgraded to C/D standard in 2008~11)

Portugal

• Portuguese Air Force - 6 F-29C and 2 F-29D currently delivered and operational, total of 22 and 6 planned

Qatar

• Qatar Emiri Air Force - 12 F-29C and 3 F-29D currently delivered and operational, total of 46 and 10 planned

Saudi Arabia

• Royal Saudi Air Force - 56 F-29A and 16 F-29B (upgraded to C/D standard in 2008~12), 15 F-29C and 4 F-29D currently delivered and operational, total of 38 and 10 planned

South Axiom

• Royal Axiomian Air Force - 106 F-29A and 24 F-29B (upgraded to C/D standard in 2007~12), 250 F-29C and 41 F-29D

Switzerland

• Swiss Air Force - 29 F-29A and 8 F-29D currently delivered and operational, total of 42 and 12 planned

Thailand

• Royal Thai Air Force - 9 F-29C and 3 F-29D currently delivered and operational, total of 18 and 6 planned

United Arab Emirates

• United Arab Emirates Air Force - 56 F-29C and 14 F-29D

F-2

Japan

• Japanese Air Self Defense Force - 45 F-2A and 14 F-2B (upgraded to Kai standard in 2006~09), 67 F-2A Kai and 15 F-2B Kai

Specifications (F-29C)

Characteristics

• Crew: 1 (Pilot)

• Length: 15.78 m
• Wingspan: 10.93 m
• Height: 5.31 m
• Wing Area: 49.84 sq m

• Empty Weight: 10,800 kg
• Loaded Weight: 16,300 kg
• Maximum Take-off Weight: 25,900 kg
• Fuel Capacity: 5,400 kg internal

• Powerplant: 2 Tosar Industries F114-TI-220 2D Thrust-vectoring Turbofans
• Dry Thrust 14,700 lbf each
• Thrust with Afterburner 23,200 lbf each

Performance

• Top Speed: Mach 2.1 (2,226 km/h)
• Super-cruise Speed: Mach 1.2 (1,267 km/h)
• Service Ceiling: 19,800 m (65,000 ft)
• Maximum Range: 4,300 km with drop tanks
• Combat Radius: 650 km (with small drop tanks, heavy load), 1,350 km (with large drop tanks, medium load)
• Thrust-Weight Ratio:
  • 50% fuel, Air-to-air Payload - 1.27
  • 50% fuel, Maximum Payload - 0.90
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight - 0.81

Armament

• Gun: 1 20 mm M61A2 6-barrel rotary cannon in right wing root, 510 rounds

• • Air-to-air loadout: 6 AIM-120D AMRAAM (or AAM-4), 4 AIM-9X Sidewinder
  • Air-to-ground loadout: up to 9,600 kg in missiles or bombs (usually including 2 AMRAAMs and 2 Sidewinders)

• Hardpoints: 8 under wings, 5 under fuselage