Asia

Japanese prototype stealth plane makes first flight

Associated Press
Published | Updated

The prototype of Japan's first stealth aircraft type X-2 takes off an airport in Toyoyama, Aichi prefecture, central Japan Friday, April 22, 2016. Japan's first domestically-manufactured stealth plane successfully made its first flight on Friday, putting the nation at the forefront of only a handful of nations with stealth capabilities. (Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY (The Associated Press)

The prototype of Japan's first stealth aircraft type X-2 flies over Kakamigahara city, Gifu prefecture, central Japan Friday, April 22, 2016. Japan's first domestically-manufactured stealth plane successfully made its first flight on Friday, putting the nation at the forefront of only a handful of nations with stealth capabilities. (Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY (The Associated Press)

Japan's first domestically manufactured stealth plane has made its first flight, making Japan one of only a handful of nations with airplane stealth capabilities.

The red-and-white prototype X-2 took off from Nagoya airport Friday and flew 25 minutes to an Air Self-Defense Force base in nearby Gifu Prefecture.

The X-2 is designed to test stealth technology that could be used in Japan's next-generation fighter jet.

The stealth plane, with a 14-meter- (45-foot-) long fuselage and 9-meter- (30-foot-) wingspan, comes with radar-resistant features, such as a canopy with stealth-enhancing coating.

It was developed by a consortium led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at a cost of 39.4 billion yen ($360 million), according to Japanese media reports.