The Japanese-developed F-2 fighter support aircraft, intended to replace F-1 and based on F-16 but incorporating new technologies was developed jointly with Lockheed. The fighter uses an all-composite wing. The Japanese Defense Agency approved a 55 aircraft purchase for 2000-1.
Early in October 1987, Japan announced that the FS-X would be a derivative of an existing US aircraft, the choice of the basic airframe being either the F-16 of the F-15. The F-16 derivative was selected by the Japanese Self-Defense Agency with formal endorsement of the Japanese National Security Council in October 1987.
The first prototype flew on 7 October 1995, and the first squadron to be equipped with the F-2 was formed in 2000.
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