List of military aircraft of Japan explained

This list of military aircraft of Japan includes project, prototype, pre-production and operational types regardless of era. This includes both domestically developed Japanese designs, licensed variants of foreign designs, and foreign-produced aircraft that served in the military of Japan.

Japanese names are used here, not World War II Allied codenames. The prefix "Ki" in this list is an abbreviation of "Kitai", meaning "airframe", and was used only by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. "Ki" should be read as one word. For clarification on other designations, particularly those used by the Navy, see Japanese military aircraft designation systems. (Note: " - " indicates information is unknown or not applicable.)

Post-1945

See also: Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Fleet Air Force (JMSDF).

TypeOriginRoleAdoptedStatusTotalNotes
Aeronca L-16USutility1952retired 195320
AgustaWestland MCH-101Italy/UKmulti-role200714minesweeper/transport, replacing MH-53E
Beech King Air C90USreconnaissance1974retired 20101photo survey
Beech King Air LC-90USutility19745liaison
Beechcraft 18 BenibatoUStrainer1957retired 196535
Beechcraft TC-90US197434trainer
Beechcraft LR-2USutility19986liaison
Beechcraft Queen Air UmibatoUS1963retired 200028liaison
Beechjet T-400US199413
Bell AH-1S CobraUSattack helicopter197988
Bell H-13/47USutility1953retired 1998127helicopter
Bell UH-1B/H HiyodoriUSutility1962223helicopter
Boeing AH-64DUSattack helicopter200712
Boeing 747-47CUStransport1992retired 20192VIP transport
Boeing E-767USAEW19994 in use4
Boeing KC-767JUStransport20114 in use4In-flight refueling
Boeing CH-47J/CH-47JAUStransport198832helicopter license-built by Kawasaki
British Aerospace U–125UKutility199227also search & rescue
Cessna U206G StationairUSutility1977retired 19971
Cessna L-19 Bird Dog SoyokazeUSreconnaissance1954retired 199412922 built by Fuji
Curtiss C-46 CommandoUStransport1954retired 197848
Douglas R4D Dakota ManazuruUStransport1958retired 19724
Eurocopter TH-135Multinationaltrainer200915helicopter
Fuji LM-1 NikkoJapantrainer1955retired 1983134also liaison, T-34 Mentor development
Fuji LM-2/KM-2/TL-1Japantrainer1962retired 199866also liaison
Fuji T-1 HatsutakaJapan1960retired 200664
Fuji T-3 (KM-2B)Japantrainer1978retired 200750
Fuji T-5 (KM-2D)Japantrainer198836
Fuji T-7 (KM-2F)Japantrainer200249
Fuji TACOMJapanUAV1995retired 20116
Fuji UH-1JJapanutility1994100-(120)helicopter, UH-1H development
Grumman Albatross HariganeUSmulti-role1961retired 19766amphibian, one converted for research as UF-XS
Grumman GooseUSutility1955retired 19614amphibian
Grumman E-2CUSAEW198351
Grumman S2F-1 AotakaUSmaritime patrol1957retired 198660
Grumman TBM-3 AvengerUSmulti-role1954retired 196120
Gulfstream U-4UStransport19975
Hughes OH-6 CayuseUSreconnaissance1969332helicopter
Hughes TH-55JUStrainer1971retired 199538helicopter
Kawasaki C-1Japantransport197531
Kawasaki C-2Japantransport20167replacing C–1 and C–130H
Kawasaki KH-4Japanutility196519helicopter, Bell 47G variant.
Kawasaki-Vertol KV-107IIJapantransport1966retired 2009120helicopter
Kawasaki KAL-2Japanliaison1954retired 19642prototypes
Kawasaki OH-1 NinjaJapanreconnaissance200031helicopter (Kongata Kansoko)
Kawasaki P-1Japanmaritime patrol2013in use
Kawasaki P-2J OwashiJapanmaritime patrol1966retired 199882P2V Neptune development
Kawasaki P2V-7 VSAJapanresearch1977retired 19821Variable Stability Aircraft research
Kawasaki T-4Japantrainer1988208
Learjet U-36AUStrainer19856combat support Learjet 35A
Lockheed C-130HUStransport198316used by JMSDF and JASDF
Lockheed Martin C-130RUStransport2014-20166ex-USAF KC-130R aerial tanker (sold as C-130R without refueling system) with regeneration from 2012 to 2016. Assigned to JMSDF.
Lockheed Martin F-35AUSmulti-role201823105 total ordered. 38 being built by Mitsubishi.
Lockheed Martin F-35BUSmulti-role2025 (expected)42 total ordered
Lockheed F-104J EikoUSfighter1966retired 1986210imports/kits/license production
Lockheed F-104DJ EikoUStrainer1966retired 198620Lockheed kits
Lockheed P2V-7 OwashiUSmaritime patrol1959retired 198164
Lockheed P-3CUSmaritime patrol1981110
Lockheed PV-2 HarpoonUSmaritime patrol1955retired 196017
Lockheed T-33 WakatakaUStrainer1954retired 2000287
MBB/Kawasaki BK 117Japanutility19852helicopter, flight test assistance
McDonnell Douglas F-4EJUSfighter1971retired 1995140138 built by Mitsubishi, updated to Kai in 1995
McDonnell Douglas RF-4EUSreconnaissance197410
Mitsubishi X-2 ShinshinJapanresearch20161stealth technology testbed
Mitsubishi F-4EJ KaiJapanfighter1989retired 202096Js updated to Kai in 1995
Mitsubishi RF-4EJUS/Japanreconnaissance1990retired 202014replaced lost RF-4Es
Mitsubishi F-1Japanfighter1977retired 200677
Mitsubishi F-2Japanfighter200098F-16 development, replacing F-1
Mitsubishi F-15JJapanfighter198122312 built by MDD, the rest by Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi F-15DJJapantrainer198148
Mitsubishi F-XJapanfighter2035 (planned)Planned sixth-generation stealth fighter developed from X-2 Shinshin and i3 fighter concept
Mitsubishi MU-2/LR-1Japanutility1967retired 200853also SAR and photo-reconnaissance
Mitsubishi RP-1Japanresearch19941helicopter
Mitsubishi SH-60JJapanASW199170helicopter
Mitsubishi SH-60KJapanASW2005(50)helicopter, replacing SH-60J
Mitsubishi T-2/T-2AJapan1975retired 200696
Mitsubishi T-2 CCVJapanresearch1984retired 19981Control Configured Vehicle
NAMC YS-11Japantransport196523
North American F-86D GekkoUSfighter1958retired 1968122imported
North American F-86F KyokkoUSfighter1955retired 1982435imports/kits/license production
North American RF-86FUSreconnaissance1961retired 197918
North American T-6/SNJ Texan MatsukazeUStrainer1954retired 1970232
North American T-28B TrojanUStrainer1956retired 19631
Piper L-21B/PA-18 Super CubUSreconnaissance1953retired 196562
SAAB X1GSwedenutility1957retired 19871STOL research, flight test assistance
ShinMaywa PS-1Japanmaritime patrol1971retired 198921flying boat
ShinMaywa UF-XSJapanresearch1963retired 19671
ShinMaywa US-1/US-1AJapanSAR197519flying boat
ShinMaywa US-2JapanSAR2007in use3-(14)flying boat
Sikorsky S-55USutility1953retired 197665helicopter
Sikorsky S-61 ChidoriUSmulti-role1963retired 2008185ASW, utility and SAR helicopter
Sikorsky S-62J RaichoUSSAR1963retired 198819helicopter
Sikorsky MH-53EUSminesweeper198911helicopter
Sikorsky UH-60J/JAUSmulti-role199047helicopter
Stinson L-5 SentinelUSreconnaissance1953retired 195835
Vertol H-21 HouoUSmulti-role1959retired 197112helicopter

Pre-1945

See also: Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, Imperial Japanese Army Air Service and World War II Allied names for Japanese aircraft.

TypeTotalDateServiceClassRoleNotes
Aichi B7A Ryusei1942Navysingle-engine
Aichi D1A1934Navybiplane
Aichi D3A1938Navymonoplane
Aichi E3A1930Navyfloatplane
Aichi E11A1937Navyflying boat
Aichi E12A1938Navyfloatplane
Aichi E13A1940Navyfloatplane
Aichi E16A Zuiun1942Navyfloatplane
Aichi H9A1940Navyflying boat
Aichi Type 15-Ko Mi-go+1925Navyfloatplanereconnaissance
Aichi M6A Seiran1943Navyfloatplane
Aichi M6A1-K Nanzan1945Navylandplane
Aichi Navy Type 21928Navyfloatplane
Aichi S1An/aNavytwin-engineprototypes destroyed unflown
Army model 2 ground-taxiing trainer+1919Armymonoplaneconverted Nieuport 81
Army Type Mo-41915Armybiplanetrainer
Army Type Mo-51919Armybiplanetrainer1st Japanese purpose-built trainer
Avro 504K/L/S1921Navybiplanetrainer
Bréguet 19+1925Navysesquiplanereconnaissance
Canadian Car & Foundry AXG11938Navybiplanefighter
Curtiss-Wright LXC1-31936Navyamphibiantransport
Dewoitine D.510J1935Navymonoplanefighter
Douglas DC-21936Armytwin-enginetransport1 built by Nakajima
Douglas HXD1936Navyflying boattransport
Fairchild LXF11936Navyflying boattransport
Army Type Mo1913Armybiplanereconnaissance
Army Type Mo-41915Armybiplanereconnaissance
Army Type Mo-61917Armybiplanereconnaissance
Felixstowe F.5 ca.1921Navyflying boat
Fiat I-Type (BR.20)1938Armytwin-engine
Gasuden KR-2+1934NavybiplanetransportDH Fox Moth development[1]
Gloster Sparrowhawk1931Navybiplanefighter
Hansa-Brandenburg W.331922Navyfloatplane
Heinkel HD 23/Aichi Type H1926Navybiplane
Heinkel A7He11938Navymonoplanefighter
Hiro G2H1933Navytwin-engine
Hiro H1H1925Navyflying boat
Hiro H2H1932Navyflying boat
Hiro H3H1931Navyflying boat
Hiro H4H1933Navyflying boat
Kayaba Ka-1/Ka-2 Ka-Go1941Armyautogyroalso used for liaison
Kawanishi E7K1933Navyfloatplane
Kawanishi E10K1934Navyflying boattransport
Kawanishi E11K1937Navyflying boattransport
Kawanishi E13K1938Navyfloatplane
Kawanishi E15K Shiun1941Navyfloatplane
Kawanishi H6K1936Navyflying boatalso built as transport
Kawanishi H8K1941Navyflying boatalso built as transport
Kawanishi K6K1938Navybiplane
Kawanishi K8K1938Navybiplane
Kawanishi K-111927Navybiplane
Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu1942Navyfloatplanefighter
Kawanishi N1K1-J/N1K2-J Shiden1943NavylandplaneN1K landplane derivative
Kawasaki Army Otsu 1+1919ArmybiplanereconnaissanceSalmson 2 A.2
Kawasaki Army Type 881927Armybiplanereconnaissance
Kawasaki Army Type 921929Armybiplanefighter
Kawasaki Ki-31933Armybiplane
Kawasaki Ki-51934Armymonoplanefighter
Kawasaki Ki-101935Armybiplanefighter
Kawasaki Ki-281936Armymonoplanefighter
Kawasaki Ki-321937Armymonoplane
Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu1939Armytwin-enginefighter
Kawasaki Ki-481939Armytwin-engine
Kawasaki Ki-561940Armytwin-enginetransportLockheed 14
Kawasaki Ki-601940Armymonoplanefighterinline engine
Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien1941Armymonoplanefighterinline engine
Kawasaki Ki-641943Armytandem-enginefighter
Kawasaki Ki-661942Armytwin-engine
Kawasaki Ki-78 Kensan III1942Armysingle engine monoplaneHigh speed research
Kawasaki Ki-88n/aArmymid-enginefightercancelled
Kawasaki Ki-911945Armyfour-engineprototype destroyed in raid
Kawasaki Ki-961943Armytwin-enginefighter
Kawasaki Ki-1001945ArmymonoplanefighterKi-61 with radial engine
Kawasaki Ki-1021944Armytwin-engineheavy fighterheavy/night fighter
Kawasaki Ki-1081944Armytwin-engineKi-102 derivative
Kawasaki Ki-119n/aArmysingle-enginebomberprototype not completed
Kokusai Ki-591939Armytwin-enginetransport
Kokusai Ki-76+1941Armysingle-enginecommand liaison
Kokusai Ki-861944Armybiplanelicense-built Bücker Bü 131
Kokusai Ki-105 Ohtori1945Armytwin-enginetransportpowered Ku-7
Kokusai Ku-7 Manazuru1945Armyglidertransport
Kokusai Ku-8 ca.1941Armyglidertransportunpowered Ki-59
Koshiki-2 Experimental Fighter1922Armybiplanefighterfirst Japanese-designed fighter
Kyushu J7W Shinden1945Navycanard
Kyushu K9W1 Momiji1942Navybiplanelicense-built Bücker Bü 131
Kyushu K10W11943Navymonoplane
Kyushu K11W Shiragiku1942Navymonoplane
Kyushu Q1W Tokai1943Navytwin-engine
Mansyu Ki-791936Armymonoplanebased on Ki-27
Mansyu Ki-98n/aArmypusherprototype destroyed to avoid capture
Mitsubishi 1MF1921Navybiplane
Mitsubishi 1MT1922Navytriplane
Mitsubishi 2MR8 Type 921932Armyparasol monoplanereconnaissance
Mitsubishi A5M1935Navymonoplane
Mitsubishi A6M Reisen1939Navymonoplane517 built as trainers
Mitsubishi A7M Reppu1944Navymonoplane
Mitsubishi B1M1923Navybiplane
Mitsubishi B2M1932Navybiplane
Mitsubishi B5M1936Navymonoplane
Mitsubishi C1M1932Navybiplane
Mitsubishi F1M1936Navyfloatplane
Mitsubishi G3M/L3Y1934Navytwin-enginetransport variant built as L3Y
Mitsubishi G4M1939Navytwin-engine
Mitsubishi G6M1940Navytwin-enginesome built as transports
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden1942Navymonoplane
Mitsubishi J8M Shusui1945Navyrocket
Mitsubishi K3M/Ki-71930Navymonoplanesome built as transports
Mitsubishi 己 1 (Ki 1)/Hanriot HD-14+1924Armybiplanebuilt by Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Ki-11933Armytwin-engine
Mitsubishi Ki-21933Armytwin-engine
Mitsubishi Ki-15/C5M ca.1936Armysingle-enginereconnaissance
Mitsubishi Ki-201931Armytwin-engine
Mitsubishi Ki-211936Armytwin-engine
Mitsubishi Ki-301937Armysingle-engine
Mitsubishi Ki-461939Armytwin-enginereconnaissance
Mitsubishi Ki-511939Armysingle-engine
Mitsubishi Ki-57/L4M/MC-201939Army/Navytwin-enginetransport
Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryu1942Armytwin-engine
Mitsubishi Ki-831944Armytwin-engine
Mitsubishi Ki-1091944Armytwin-engineexperimental
Mitsubishi Ki-200 Shusui1945Armyrocketexperimental
Mitsubishi Ko-11915Armysesquiplanetrainerlicense-built Nieuport 81
Nakajima A1N1927Navybiplane
Nakajima A2N1929Navybiplane
Nakajima A4N1935Navybiplane
Nakajima A6M2-N1942Navyfloatplanefighter
Nakajima Army Type 911927Armymonoplanefighter
Nakajima B5N ca.1937Navymonoplane
Nakajima B-6+1919ArmybiplanebomberBreguet 14
Nakajima B6N Tenzan1941Navysingle-engine
Nakajima C3N1936Navysingle-engine
Nakajima C6N Saiun1943Navysingle-engine
Nakajima E2N1929Navyfloatplane
Nakajima E4N1930Navyfloatplane
Nakajima E8N1934Navyfloatplane
Nakajima E12N1938Navyfloatplane
Nakajima G5N Shinzan1941Navyfour-engine4 built as transports
Nakajima G8N Renzan1944Navyfour-engine
Nakajima J1N Gekko1941Navytwin-engine
Nakajima J5N Tenrai1944Navytwin-engineexperimental
Nakajima Kikka1945Navyjet
Nakajima Ki-41934Armybiplane
Nakajima Ki-6/C2Nunk1930Army/Navysingle-enginetransport/trainer
Nakajima Ki-191937Armytwin-engine
Nakajima Ki-271936Armymonoplanefighter
Nakajima Ki-34/L1N1936Army/Navytwin-enginetransport
Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa1939Armymonoplanefighter
Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki1940Armymonoplanefighter
Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu1939Armytwin-engine
Nakajima Ki-581940Armytwin-engineKi-49 variant
Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate1943Armymonoplanefighter
Nakajima Ki-871945Armymonoplane
Nakajima Ki-115 Tsurugi1945Armysingle-engineKamikaze
Nakajima Ko-21914Armysesquiplanetrainerlicense-built Nieuport 83
Nakajima Ko-31917Armysesquiplanefighteralso used as a trainer
Nakajima Ko-41918Armybiplanefighter
Nakajima LXD-11939Navyfour-enginetransportDouglas DC-4E
Nakajima Type 51919Armybiplanetrainer[2]
Nieuport NG & NM (IV.G & IV.M)1913Armymonoplanereconnaissance
Nihon L7P1942Navyamphibiantransport
Nippi K8Ni11938Navyfloatplane[3]
Rikugun Ki-931945Armytwin-enginefighter
Seversky A8V1938Navymonoplanereconnaissance
Nakajima/Showa L2D1939Navytwin-enginetransportlicense-built Douglas DC-3
Sopwith 1½ Strutter1915Armybiplanereconnaissance
Sopwith Pup1919Navybiplane
SPAD S.XIII Hei 11919Armybiplanefighter
Tachikawa Ki-91935Armybiplane
Tachikawa Ki-171935Armybiplane
Tachikawa Ki-361938Armysingle-engine
Tachikawa Ki-541940Armytwin enginealso used as transport
Tachikawa Ki-551939Armymonoplane
Tachikawa Ki-701943Armytwin-enginereconnaissance
Tachikawa Ki-741944Armytwin-enginereconnaissance bomber
Tachikawa Ki-771942Armytwin-enginetransport
Tachikawa Ki-94-I1945Armypush-pull
Tachikawa Ki-94-II1945Armysingle-engine
Tachikawa KKY1935Armybiplanefunded by private donations[4]
Tachikawa SS-11943Armytwin engine monoplaneHigh altitude research
Tokyo Koku Ki-1071944Armymonoplane
Watanabe E9W1938Navyfloatplane
Watanabe K6W1937Navybiplane[5]
Watanabe K8W1938Navybiplane
Yokosuka B4Y1935Navybiplane
Yokosuka D3Y1-K Myojo1945Navymonoplanewood D3A
Yokosuka D4Y Suisei1940Navysingle-enginesome built for reconnaissance
Yokosuka E1Y1926Navyfloatplane
Yokosuka E5Y1930Navyfloatplane
Yokosuka E6Y1932Navyfloatplane
Yokosuka E14Y1939Navyfloatplane
Yokosuka H5Y1936Navyflying boat
Yokosuka I-go Ko-gata1920Navybiplane[6]
Yokosuka K1Y1925Navybiplane
Yokosuka K2Y1929Navybiplane
Yokosuka K4Y1930Navybiplane
Yokosuka K5Y1933Navybiplane
Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka1944NavyrocketKamikaze
Yokosuka MXY8 Akigusa1945Navyglider
Yokosuka P1Y Ginga1943Navytwin-engine97 built as night fighters
Yokosuka R2Y Keiun1945Navysingle-enginereconnaissance
Yokosuka Ro-go Ko-gata1918Navyfloatplanereconnaissance

See also

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Mikesh, 1990, p.88
  2. Mikesh, 1990, p.201-202/209
  3. Mikesh, 1990, p.240
  4. Mikesh, 1990, p.250
  5. Mikesh, 1990, p.259-260
  6. Mikesh, 1990, p.269-270