The brand new EC-2 Stand-Off Jammer plane, primarily based on the Kawasaki C-2 transport plane, will change the distinctive EC-1 which has been in service since 1986.
The newest in a lot of Japanese plane with uncommon modifications, the EC-2 Stand-Off Jammer (SOJ), simply broke cowl. The plane, which has been in improvement since 2021, has been noticed at Gifu Air Base.
The picture you may see as the quilt of this text was captured on Feb. 17, 2026, by Mel Amahashi (@CirqueduCiel), which kindly allowed us to make use of it. The plane was caught at a distance within the background of a photograph displaying a Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol plane taking off.
Kewesekiせんたんぎじせつ pic.twitter.com/6MHgrxGTql
— 天橋 める (@CirqueduCiel) February 17, 2026
The secretive plane, which seems to be the previous C-2 18-1203, has to this point been proven solely in a rendering by the Ministry of Protection, with these being now the primary images of the particular plane. Notably, one other C-2, 18-1202, was beforehand modified with related, however smaller, bulges for the sign intelligence (SIGINT) function, and first flew in 2018 with the brand new designation RC-2.
The EC-2 SOJ
The brand new platform is a by-product of the Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) C-2 transport plane. As it may be seen within the images, the plane has been modified with a bulbous nostril – just like the EC-1’s nostril, in addition to two massive bulges on the highest of the fuselage, whereas two extra must be positioned on the perimeters of the fuselage between the wings and the horizontal stabilizers.
The EC-2 Stand-Off Jammer (SOJ) is being developed to disrupt an adversary’s digital warfare (EW) capabilities whereas nonetheless flying outdoors of the risk’s vary. The Japanese Ministry of Protection beforehand stated the plane will likely be used to help counter air operations along side different tactical property.
The plane will change the distinctive EC-1, which has been in service since 1986. Nevertheless, whereas the EC-1 program resulted in a single plane, the EC-2 fleet will embrace 4 plane, with ¥41.4 billion allotted to the event, in accordance with MoD price range paperwork.
The event of each the EC-2 and RC-2 platforms is a part of the MoD’s effort to “Enhance capabilities to assemble electromagnetic info obligatory for digital jamming and digital safety” and “Develop obligatory tools to consistently and repeatedly collect, course of, and analyze info particularly on navy tendencies within the neighborhood of Japan.”
This system is split in two phases, specializing in the mixing of the brand new capabilities and their refinement, respectively. Among the many tools there will likely be elements inherited from the EC-1, such because the J/ALQ-5 digital countermeasures (ECM) system and superior radio wave measurement techniques.
キター＼(^^)／ pic.twitter.com/PVcqplbJuT
— らやんだぁ (@mBY5lWgEY5a9Zoz) February 16, 2026
The plane is predicted to be operated by the Denshi Sakusengun (Digital Warfare Operations Group) at Iruma Air Base, the identical which operates the EC-1 and can in future additionally function the RC-2.
Changing the Ageing EC-1
The Japanese EC-1 is a specialised digital intelligence (ELINT) and digital warfare plane operated by the Japan Air Self-Protection Power (JASDF). The platform is predicated on the domestically produced Kawasaki C-1 tactical transport plane, developed as a part of the trouble to subject an indigenous airborne platform for digital warfare.
Solely a single airframe was transformed into the EC-1 configuration, which has additionally been used as a testbed and experimental platform. The plane was extensively modified with a peculiar black bulbous nostril, tail radome, in addition to a number of bulges alongside the fuselage that home the varied sensors.
Among the many techniques put in are the home XJ/ALQ-5 ECM and Toshiba ELINT techniques (together with American ECM and Elint avionics). These installations had been designed to intercept, analyze, and report radar emissions and different digital indicators.
The home improvement of the platform was meant to strengthen Japan’s digital warfare and surveillance capabilities, whereas sustaining secrecy across the program and its capabilities. Methods onboard the plane had been primarily developed in cooperation with Japanese protection trade companions to scale back reliance on international expertise.
The secretive plane, in service with the Digital Warfare Help Unit at Iruma Air Base, in Saitama Prefecture, roughly 35 miles (55km) northwest of Tokyo. The bottom additionally operated the C-1 within the 402nd Tactical Airlift Squadron, and now additionally hosts the newer C-2.
Due to Mel Amahashi for permitting us to make use of his picture! You will discover extra of his work on X at @CirqueduCiel.
