Japan’s new ‘ugly duckling’ electronic-warfare aircraft takes to the sky

(Gordon Arthur – Defense News) Japan’s new electronic-warfare aircraft, converted from a Kawasaki C-2 tactical cargo hauler, took to the sky for its maiden flight this week. The EC-2 plane, ridiculed by judgy aviation enthusiasts for its bumpy body, took off from Gifu Air Base on March 17, checking a key box in the envisioned plan of fielding the aircraft for operations in March 2027. – Japan’s new ‘ugly duckling’ electronic-warfare aircraft takes to the sky