The Mitsubishi F-1 is a support fighter for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, developed from the trainer type T-2. As Japan's first domestically produced supersonic jet fighter, development began in 1972, and procurement began in 1975.
In the past, the F-86F was used as a support fighter, but
in order to operate a full-scale support fighter, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force
considered introducing the F-5E Tiger II, but decided on a fighter modification of the T-2 trainer, which was in operation at the time.
Development of the FS-T2 Kai (later the F-1) began, and for this purpose the mass-produced T-2 No. 106 and No. 107 were completed as special T-2 specifications for flight testing, and various system tests and flight tests were conducted.
Based on the results of these tests, the Director General of the Defense Agency approved the use of the aircraft by the unit on November 14, 1976, and
at the same time the official name was decided from FS-T2 Kai to the Support Fighter F-1. The F-1 was deployed starting in fiscal year 1977, and was deployed to the 3rd and 8th Squadrons at Misawa Air Base and the 6th Squadron at Tsuiki Air Base, replacing the F-86F.
The F-1 is a support fighter, but is also used as an interceptor fighter.
For this reason, it is equipped with a variety of weapons. For interception missions, it is equipped with Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and for support combat, it is equipped with 500lb bombs, anti-ship missiles, 70mm or 127mm rockets, etc.
When the F-1 is modified from the T-2 to perform such a variety of missions,
the search and tracking radar is strengthened, a radio altimeter and atmospheric characteristic computer are added,
radar warning devices, strike cameras, etc. are installed,
and additional modifications such as mounting pylons for weapons are made.
