Japan had considered making F-X an unmanned fighter

According to Kyodo News, the Japan Ministry of Defense had considered making the F-X fighter an umanned aircraft.


Graphic: Japan Ministry of Defense


This was to save cost as having an umanned aircaft will result in a smaller aircraft without the need to have a human control it.

However, the approach was abandoned after the Aegis Ashore program was shelved as the Ministry needs to concentrate on finding a new solution to replace the Aegis Ashore program.

For more information, hit the Source below

Source