F-4J/Type-82 Kai Zuikaku
History
The @Type-82 Kai Zuikaku is a modification of the Type-77/F-4J Gekishin, which had been licensed for Japanese production in 1977, and designed with a focus on improving the performance of the TSF it was derived from. Like most Royal Guard TSFs, it has increased performance at the cost of maintainability and ease of production.
In 1978, the Imperial Interior Ministry, looking to acquire a TSF type exclusive to the Imperial Royal Guard, appointed Fugaku, Kawazaki, and Mitsuhishi Heavy Industries to carry out research and development for new TSF. However, as the manufacturers were fully occupied with the licensed production of the @Type-77 Gekishin, they were unable to spare enough manpower to commit to developing an all-new design at that time. Instead, the manufacturers proposed a plan for an upgraded machine based on the F-4J; the offer was only reluctantly accepted by the Imperial Interior Ministry on the absolute condition that its close-combat performance was superior to the F-4J's.
Development began in 1979, using close-combat data gained from the European front at that time. Numerous changes were implemented that set it apart from the F-4J. These included improvements to its drive system, a 20% reduction in gross weight coupled with a 10% output increase to improve maneuverability and mobility, and redesigned armor modules constructed with newly-developed lightweight materials. It also includes an increased number of Japanese-made components, including a new model of laser warning system; the Type-82F/A variants were also confirmed to carry laser-dispersing chaff countermeasures in special launchers concealed in their shoulder armor blocks. An enlarged head fin was added to the Zuikaku's head unit, adding to the initial two-finned head unit design of the F-4J, and its arm-mounted Blade Sheaths are also larger compared to the Gekishin's; however, it is not confirmed if they are used like control surfaces in a manner similar to the @Type-94 Shiranui's own arm sheaths.
Despite various troubles, the prototype was completed in 1981. It performed favorably in various operating trials, although it was noted that the unit suffered from a small decrease in operational uptime, the reason being the increased power output during its operation. That issue was noted and set aside, as it was not seen as a problem for an exclusive-use TSF that would be deployed locally.
The project was viewed favorably, especially by high-ranking Royal Guard officers, some of whom were of the opinion that the angular design of the Zuikaku resembled "the noble stance of a folded paper crane", and viewed the project as a good omen of the beginning of Japanese capability for domestic production of TSFs. By 1982, the TSF had been formally given the name of Zuikaku, and deployment to active Royal Guard formations was initiated.
Deployment
As a unit for the exclusive use of Royal Guard pilots, the Zuikaku is involved most with issues of defence on the @Empire of Japan's home soil; some of its most major deployments were their participation in the Defence of @Kyoto during the 1998 BETA Invasion of Japan, and later defending Kyoto again from insurgent Imperial Army forces during the 12/5 Incident. As is the nature of the Royal Guard to follow the color codes specific to their rank, the Type-82, split into four different variants, has appeared in five different colors; purple and blue are indicators of the Type-82R variant, red and yellow for the Type-82F, white for the Type-82A, and black for the Type-82C.
However, unlike its successor unit, the @Type-00 Takemikazuki, no differences in operational performance has been determined amongst the variants. Apart from unit color, the only other visible difference between each variant of the Type-82 is the head unit's visual sensors; the Type-82R uses a different visual sensor design from the Type-82F/A/C variants.
Although is was planned to have the Zuikaku be succeeded by the Type-00 Takemikazuchi by 2000, they remain in use by the 1st, 2nd, and 24th Guard Regiments due to the Type-00's low procurement rates.
Variants
Type-82R
The Type-82R is normally painted blue, and given to family members of the 5 ruling houses of the Japanese Shogunate. Takatsugu Ikaruga of the 16th Guard Battalion piloted one such unit in his role during the defence of Kyoto, using it to great effect against the advancing BETA as a spearheading unit in offensive operations.
A purple variant of the Type-82R also exists, for the exclusive use of the Shogun.
Type-82F
The Type-82F, like the Type-82R, also exists in two different colors; the red versions are given to influential samurai close to the Regent Houses, and to security units in charge of the safety of members of the Regent Houses, while the yellow versions are piloted by fudai (hereditary vassals to the Shogun) pilots.
In 1998, a yellow Type-82F belonging to then pilot cadet @Yui Takamura and another red Type-82F belonging to her squadron leader participated in the defence of the Arashiyama Supply Base, a key location used to resupply troops defending the outskirts of Kyoto. Another red Type-82F was used by @Maya Tsukuyomi, another pilot of the Royal Guards, to defend Kyoto during the ending days of the 1998 invasion.
Type-82A
The Type-82A is painted white and assigned to pilots from samurai families.
Type-82C
The black-painted Type-82C is used by pilots of non-samurai or non-royal origins serving the Royal Guard. They form the core of most Royal Guard forces, with several Type-82Cs of the 16th Guard Battalion fighting alongside Ikaruga and Maya during the final hours of the Battle of Kyoto, in 1998.
Type-82Cs were also part of a joint US-Japan combat trial on August 18, 1986, where an element of Type-82Cs, led by @Eiji Iwaya, fought two F-15C Eagles. Despite pilot ingenuity on the part of the Imperial Japanese pilots, the battle demonstrated clearly the technological and power differences between 1st and 2nd generation TSFs, even if the former were to be given substantial upgrades.