The Japan Ministry of Defense's (MoD's) Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has awarded Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) a JPY15 billion (USD143.1 million) contract to develop an aircraft capable of conducting electronic warfare (EW) operations at stand-off ranges. Documents obtained by Janes on 10 February show that the development contract for the platform, which the MoD refers to as the "stand-off electronic warfare aircraft", was signed in December 2020. The aircraft is expected to be capable of degrading the effectiveness of enemy radar and radio systems, although no details were provided about the maximum range at which it would be capable of effectively conducting jamming operations. The new aircraft will be equipped with signals intelligence and electronic attack equipment to support Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) operations, said the MoD without providing further details. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) earmarked JPY15 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2020 and JPY10 billion for FY 2021 for this development, which is set to take place in two stages. Under the first stage KHI is to design and build two prototypes and complete initial trials by the end of FY 2026. Under the second stage a third and fourth prototype are to be built, with final tests set to be completed by FY 2032.
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