A leaked image may show the famous Mitsubishi’s ATD-X Shinshin stealth fighter.

An image appeared on some Chinese forums, may show the first prototype of the Advanced Technology Demonstrator-X (ATD-X), a fighter plane destined to replace Japan Air Self-Defense Force‘s Mitsubishi F-2 in the air defense role.

The aircraft, developed by the Japanese Ministry of Defense Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) for research purposes and unofficially known in Japan as Shinshin (meaning “spirit of the heart”, actually an early codename within the Japan Self Defense Force) is expected to fly for the first time within the end of this year.

Therefore this first, blurry image, might really depict the ATD-X, a canted vertical tails radar-evading air superiority fighter with enhanced maneuverability, considered vital to counter the Chinese J-20 and Russian T-50 stealth jets in the Pacific.

More from The Aviationist

Aircraft Profiles

Panavia Tornado

Aviation Safety

V-22 Osprey Returns to Flight with New Restrictions After Latest Grounding

Military Aviation

Japan Selects T-6 Texan II as New Basic Trainer for the JASDF

Military Aviation

RNLAF F-35As Escort WW2 Veteran Douglas DC-3 Before New Life at Aviodrome Museum

Military Aviation

Italy Orders New Batch Of Up To 24 Eurofighter Typhoons

Even if the white color scheme with a large red stripe does not seem too stealthy.

Image credit: Chinese Internet

Related articles

• Third Prototype of China’s Stealth Jet Makes Maiden Flight and Shows Improvements
• Iran unveils new indigenous stealth fighter “Qaher 313″. And here’s a detailed analysis.
• Russia’s fifth generation PAK-FA prototype catches fire on landing
• Russian Bombers Fly 50 Miles off California. F-22s and F-15s intercept them.
• Has China just rolled out third prototype of J-20 stealth fighter jet?
• Stunning image of two Russian T-50 stealth planes during weapon integration tests
• Upgraded, third prototype of China’s stealth jet ready for maiden flight