Japan aims to complete XEC-2 flight testing in early 2027

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) transferred the XEC-2 stand-off electronic warfare (EW) aircraft to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's (JASDF's) Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW) at Gifu Air Base in June. (JASDF)

Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) XEC-2 stand-off electronic warfare (EW) aircraft is scheduled to complete a series of flight tests in fiscal year (FY) 2026 ahead of its planned entry into service in 2027, a Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesperson told Janes.

The MoD could not provide details of the test schedule, but the spokesperson said that “the programme is progressing as planned”.

“Following the completion of the required evaluations, the aircraft is scheduled to enter service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF),” the spokesperson added.

KHI has produced a single XEC-2, with the aircraft's maiden flight conducted in March from Gifu Air Base in Nagoya. Testing and evaluation activities started on 15 July after the aircraft was transferred to the JASDF's Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW) at Gifu in June.

“The potential acquisition of additional XEC-2 aircraft is currently under consideration,” the spokesperson said, adding that an update of the JASDF's force structure is also under study.

With the XEC-2, the MoD aims to rebuild the JASDF's airborne electronic attack and electronic warfare (EA/EW) capabilities. In its 2026 white paper, the MoD described EA/EW and electromagnetic spectrum management as having “become increasingly important in modern operations”.

Until recently, the JASDF's airborne EA/EW fleet comprised two Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (NAMC) YS-11EA aircraft, based on the YS-11 airliner. However, the YS-11EA was decommissioned in late 2024, according to the spokesperson.

C-2 flexibility