Following its maiden flight on 17 March, Japan’s Kawasaki EC-2 stand-off jammer developmental aircraft is continuing its flight test programme, with another sortie conducted on 24 March.
This EC-2 bears the tail number ‘68-1203’, indicating it was converted from the third C-2 transport aircraft produced.
The test programme is being conducted by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF) Aviation Development and Testing Group at Gifu Air Base, in conjunction with the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA).
Like its predecessor, the EC-1 – the sole example which was retired in 2025 – the EC-2 features a distinct bulbous nose. Two large fairings are positioned on the forward and aft sections of the upper fuselage, with an additional fairing mounted each side of the rear fuselage.
These are thought to house a range of specialist equipment supporting its stand-off jamming role against enemy radars and communications. Such missions are intended to support joint-domain operations in coordination with other tactical assets.
Few details have been released officially, although the defence ministry’s FY2025 budget stated that JPY41.4 billion (US$259.5 million) had been allocated for development of the electronic warfare (EW) aircraft.
The document stated that enhancing capabilities in the electromagnetic spectrum is one of Japan’s key priorities, and that development of the EW aircraft is one initiative supporting this objective.
Reports indicate that four EC-2s could be procured – a significant increase over the single EC-1 that was in service for 40 years.
The aircraft’s development is occurring against a backdrop of increasing regional tensions, driven in part by a more assertive China that has demonstrated a willingness to employ military force to achieve its objectives.
The EC-2 is the second special mission variant of the C-2. The first is the RC-2 signals intelligence (SIGINT) platform, a single aircraft that first flew in 2018 and is operated by the JASDF’s Electronic Warfare Operations Group at Iruma Air Base. Once it enters service, it is likely the EC-2 could join the same group.
The RC-2 is also listed in the defence ministry’s documents as another of its efforts to enhance Japan’s EW capabilities.
It is expected that, by using the RC-2’s regular collection of electromagnetic emissions to build an adversary’s electronic order of battle for threat analysis, the EC-2 will be better positioned to target threat emitters.
In 2023, Japan also indicated it was exploring the use of its C-2 transport aircraft to deploy air-launched stand-off missiles, similar to the US Rapid Dragon concept. It remains unclear if this is still being pursued.
by Roy Choo
