1. Japan Air Self-Defense Force plans to update reconnaissance machines According to a report by the Stars and Stripes on January 7, 2019, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force plans to retire all RF-4E Phantom-II tactical reconnaissance aircraft by March 2020 and replace them with F-35A B multi-role ** fighters equipped with relevant reconnaissance components. It is alleged that Japan is considering the purchase of another 100 F-35s to meet the operational needs of the Air Self-Defense Forces.
2. History of the RF-4E Phantom-II tactical reconnaissance aircraft The RF-4E was first introduced in 1974 and has been in service with the Air Self-Defense Force for more than 30 years. Currently, 13 RF-4Es remain in the Air Self-Defense Force, specifically serving the reconnaissance aviation group located at the Hyakuri base in Ibaraki Prefecture. Known for their special liveries with woodpecker markings, the team flew the RF-4E for more than 30 years on a variety of missions, becoming Japan's main source of military intelligence around Japan.
3. Technical characteristics and use of the RF-4EThe feature of the RF-4E is that the long-lens oblique camera is integrated into the nose, and the camera is produced by the American Reconnaissance Optics Corporation (ROI). The camera has a focal length of more than 70 inches and a detection range of more than 75 km. However, the RF-4E's Lorop66 camera is very precise, and the negatives are prone to mold, which affects the optical imaging effect. For this reason, cameras and negatives are usually stored in an environmentally controlled room to ensure quality.
The operation of the RF-4E includes the daily arrangement of 4-5 combat-ready duty aircraft, which are deployed in various strategic directions throughout the country according to different tasks. Aircraft are on standby during the day and at night, performing one-hour and three-hour standby missions. The Reconnaissance Aviation Unit also has a Reconnaissance Intelligence Processing Team, which works with the RF-4E flying air force to convert aerial photography** and radio signal data into intelligence data.
4. RF-4E's "Disaster Dispatch" and Other MissionsRF-4E not only provides services when there is "something going on in the vicinity", but also performs investigative missions in the event of natural disasters, including **, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. In addition, RF-4E performs some aerial photography missions at the request of other ministries, agencies, and local governments. During the 2011 East Japan Congress, RF-4E intensively carried out reconnaissance missions in the disaster area.
5. The existence and future of the RF-4EJ In addition to the original RF-4E, the reconnaissance aviation fleet has 14 RF-4EJ of indigenous modifications, which were deployed in the 90s of the last century and are converted from redundant F-4EJ fighters. The RF-4EJ is slightly less powerful than the RF-4E, but its reconnaissance equipment is integrated into the airframe, giving it more flight time. However, the RF-4EJ is running out and will be phased out.
6. Japan Considers Introducing RQ-4 "Global Hawk" Unmanned Reconnaissance Aircraft Japan has clearly introduced the RQ-4 "Global Hawk" unmanned reconnaissance aircraft from the United States Nuo Ge Company, which is superior to RF-4E and other tactical reconnaissance aircraft in terms of flight altitude and reconnaissance capabilities. Although the Global Hawk excels in intelligence gathering and reconnaissance at the strategic level, it is too extravagant for reconnaissance patrols at the tactical level in peacetime due to its high cost. Therefore, Japan also needs to retain aircraft capable of performing "ordinary reconnaissance" missions.
7. F-35 as an alternative to reconnaissance aircraft Considering the multi-purpose performance of the F-35, the Japanese Ministry of Defense is considering using a part of the F-35 for modified reconnaissance missions. The F-35A B multi-role** fighter can perform a variety of tasks, including reconnaissance operations, by carrying different functional modules. For Japan, this provides a convenient solution to meet the reconnaissance needs of the Air Self-Defense Forces, especially in some high-risk environments.