Japan stealth jet prototype set to fly in 2014
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Tuesday, March 8, 2011; 12:34 AM
TOKYO -- A senior military official says Japan is on track to test a domestically designed prototype stealth fighter in three years.
Lt. Gen. Hideyuki Yoshioka says the prototype will likely be rolled out for a test flight on schedule in 2014.
Yoshioka is the director the air systems development at Japan's Ministry of Defense and spoke with The AP this week.
Japan has put 39 billion yen ($473 million) into the project since 2009 after it became clear the United States was not likely to sell its most advanced fighter jet because of a congressional export ban.
Japan relies to a large degree for its defense on its alliance with the United States.
But China and Russia have made great strides toward perfecting advanced stealth fighters that could rival the U.S.
(This version CORRECTS that fighter will be ready for test in three years.)
