In a landmark step for Japan’s defense technology and artificial intelligence research, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is preparing for the first flight of a pioneering unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with artificial intelligence (AI). This experimental aircraft, referred to as the “Flying Test Bed” (FTB), embodies Japan’s effort to develop advanced, modular UAV systems capable of performing various roles through AI-driven autonomous control. The initial flight, scheduled for November 2025, represents the culmination of an intensive research and development project commissioned by Japan’s Defense Equipment Agency (DEA).
The FTB project focuses on integrating AI into UAV control systems to test and optimize the performance of autonomous flight technology. It will provide critical data for refining Japan’s UAV capabilities, helping the nation establish a robust, AI-integrated framework for defense and reconnaissance applications.
Since fiscal year 2022, MHI has been working under a DEA contract to build and test a modular UAV, the FTB, designed to adapt to multiple mission profiles. This flexibility is achieved through the FTB’s innovative design, which features a shared fuselage and engine system coupled with interchangeable wings and tail sections, enabling it to switch between combat and reconnaissance roles seamlessly. The ability to alternate configurations makes the FTB an ideal platform for testing a broad range of operational scenarios, from high-stakes reconnaissance to direct combat support.
Each variant of the FTB measures over three meters in length. The combat version has a wingspan slightly exceeding two meters, while the reconnaissance model extends to over three meters. Both versions incorporate electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors for environmental scanning, while the reconnaissance version is equipped with advanced synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to enhance its ability to gather intelligence. This modular approach allows MHI to evaluate the adaptability and functionality of AI-driven UAV systems across diverse mission requirements, providing insights crucial to the DEA’s larger AI research goals.
The FTB’s experimental flights will serve as the primary testbed for analyzing how AI performs in real-world flight conditions. These tests will generate data on the differences between AI functionality in controlled simulations and actual operational environments, where factors like weather, terrain, and unpredictable flight dynamics play a significant role. The DEA is particularly interested in how these variables affect AI-based decision-making and flight control, as the UAV’s autonomous systems are expected to adapt in real-time to changing conditions without human intervention.
The AI-driven flight data will support the establishment of a standardized framework for flight control interfaces, a critical step toward making autonomous flight a reliable and widely applicable technology for defense. Additionally, the data will help build a comprehensive database to evaluate the effectiveness of various AI configurations on the same aircraft model, enabling comparative studies that can shape future AI-driven aviation technology.
The initial research and development phase is expected to conclude by March 2026. Subsequently, the DEA will perform additional testing to validate and enhance the FTB’s systems between fiscal years 2026 and 2027. These tests will aim to refine the UAV’s operational performance and ensure that its AI capabilities are sufficiently robust for combat and reconnaissance missions.
The FTB development aligns with Japan’s broader commitment to defense innovation, exemplified by its growing collaboration with the United States. In December 2023, Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the U.S. Air Force (USAF) embarked on a joint initiative named “Overwhelming Response through Collaborative Autonomy.” This program seeks to develop UAVs that can operate alongside manned fighter jets, enhancing mission flexibility through autonomous UAVs capable of dynamic coordination with human pilots.
The program’s goal is to create UAVs that act as “loyal wingmen” — autonomous drones that can support manned aircraft by conducting a range of tasks, from reconnaissance and surveillance to providing electronic warfare support. These UAVs will not only increase operational resilience but also decrease the risk to human pilots by performing the most dangerous tasks. When integrated with Japan’s future next-generation fighter fleet, these UAVs are expected to create a powerful synergy that extends the capabilities of both manned and unmanned platforms.
A significant aspect of Japan’s UAV ambitions is the integration of these technologies with its future next-generation fighter jet, developed in partnership with the United Kingdom and Italy under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Japan, the UK, and Italy formally announced their joint endeavor to develop a next-generation fighter at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 22, 2024. This multinational effort includes BAE Systems, Leonardo, and MHI as the key stakeholders, each contributing specialized expertise to create a highly advanced, AI-integrated fighter capable of networked warfare.
The fighter, anticipated to enter service by 2035, will replace the Eurofighter Typhoon and Mitsubishi F-2. With advanced features such as next-generation radar, integrated sensors, an interactive cockpit, and cutting-edge weapon systems, this new fighter will be capable of networking with UAVs, including AI-driven support drones like the FTB.
The GCAP operates under a unique equal partnership structure, with each nation taking responsibility for specific areas of the fighter’s development:
- BAE Systems oversees airframe development and integrates the fighter’s aerodynamic enhancements, while Rolls-Royce is tasked with the engine design.
- Leonardo UK is responsible for the aircraft’s electronics, including next-generation radar systems, and MBDA UK is developing the onboard weaponry.
- MHI, as Japan’s principal contractor, manages significant components such as the fuselage and airframe integration. Japan’s IHI Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric contribute their expertise in engines and advanced electronics.
Italy’s Leonardo S.p.A. also plays a substantial role, contributing avionics and electronics expertise, with Avio Aero working on engine components and MBDA IT focusing on missile systems. This collaboration enables each partner nation to leverage its unique capabilities while maintaining a balanced contribution to the fighter’s development.
With GCAP’s development phase set to formally commence in 2025, the program may expand to include additional partnerships. There is speculation about potential collaborations with nations like Sweden, Saudi Arabia, and Germany. However, Japan has expressed reservations regarding a partnership with Saudi Arabia due to security concerns, particularly surrounding sensitive technologies.
Japan’s AI-equipped UAV initiative and participation in GCAP underscore its commitment to establishing a more autonomous and tech-savvy defense force. As the first test flight of the FTB draws closer, it signals a pivotal moment for Japan’s defense ambitions, with the project poised to offer valuable insights into the integration of AI in UAVs and other unmanned systems. The results from the FTB flights are expected to contribute to a national framework for autonomous military aviation, serving as a model for the global defense community.
Furthermore, Japan’s focus on AI-driven combat support drones, which was recently highlighted through an early mock-up of a combat support UAV at the International Aerospace Exhibition in October 2024, reflects its intention to leverage these technologies for enhanced tactical applications. The UAV concept illustrated Japan’s long-term vision of deploying AI-capable support drones alongside manned aircraft, a prospect that could reshape tactical strategies and bolster the nation’s defense ecosystem.
