The new XEC-2 SOJ, which first flew in March 2026, has now begun operational flight testing with the JASDF Air Test and Development Wing (ADTW) at Gifu Air Base.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s EC-2 Electronic Warfare Stand-Off Jammer (EW-SOJ) aircraft, now designated confirming the development.
The JASDF released the first official images of the XEC-2 at Gifu AB on March 12, 2026, almost a month after it was seen at the same base in an unofficial image, while parked on the pad. Japanese aviation photographers then reported March 16, 2026 The EC-2 was undergoing taxi tests, taking off for the first time a day later, on March 17.
飛行開発実験団は、令和８年７月１５日にスタンド・オフ電子戦機（ＸＥＣ－２）の飛行試験をはじめました！
隊員一同、雨にも負けず、暑さにも負けず、着実かつ安全に試験評価をすすめてまりいます.#飛行開発実験団 #航空自衛隊 #電子戦 pic.twitter.com/8wVoYAenB2— 航空自衛隊 航空開発実験集団 (@jasdf_adtc) July 17, 2026
At that time, as can be seen in observer footage during both events, the aircraft did not carry the ATDC logo on the tail.
Months later, the Japanese Ministry of Defense reported June 9 that the JASDF had deployed the “first standoff electronic warfare aircraft” to the ADTW. These developments suggest that the aircraft is undergoing an operational test campaign.
https://t.co/rBniYCTWQK pic.twitter.com/rqA8ZXSNqG
— 航空自衛隊 航空開発実験集団 (@jasdf_adtc) March 17, 2026
First operational test flight
Plane spotters observed some interesting features during this historic event. The XEC-2’s tail number ’68-1203′ now also carries the tail flash of the JASDF Air Development and Test Command/Command (ADEC/ADTC), which will conduct the operational test campaign.
During the flight, the plane was also accompanied by a JASDF F-2 (the indigenous Japanese fighter based on the F-16) as a pursuit aircraft. He short video published by the ADTC showed the XEC-2 taking off and recorded by the F-2, before returning to land.
2026/7/15 岐阜基地
2nd
XEC-2（1203）
Title: F-2B (105)
飛実マークを引っ提げて、新生カモちゃん空をゆく.
少し懐かしいコールサインも聞けて嬉しい限り.#岐阜基地 pic.twitter.com/dozHleIt2U-Naoki_O (@naoki_o_0557) July 15, 2026
“The Experimental Flight Development Squadron began flight testing of the Stand-Off Electronic Warfare Aircraft (XEC-2) on July 15, Reiwa 8! Squadron members, undeterred by rain or heat, are steadily and safely progressing through test evaluations,” the ADTC said at X.
Probably the most terrifying Electronic Warfare aircraft ever made.
Japanese platypus XEC-2 🔥 https://t.co/69wsh9eNkD pic.twitter.com/7CA65059pn— Air Force Nerd (@PrecisionLabs0) July 16, 2026
Observers listening to open radio communications and ATC channels noted that the plane was flying with Call sign “BOXER”. The callsign is usually associated with ADTC’s C-1 transport aircraft at Gifu AB.
岐阜基地
F15 さん機動飛行
と
カモノハシさん XEC-2 pic.twitter.com/UqaZ7gqWMh— ☆NARU☆稲沢市 (@naruse1001) July 15, 2026
Flight tracks of the aircraft on the date reported by an account It showed the XEC-2 flying slightly off Japan’s eastern waters in the western Pacific at an altitude of 8,750 feet.
岐阜基地 飛行開発実験団
XEC-2 68-1203
部隊マークつけて飛びました。
ちょっと懐かしいコールサインでした🤭☺
(2026.07.15) pic.twitter.com/znf3uEoVfq-Taka.Dx (@TakaDx1) July 15, 2026
Images released by both agencies did not show the ADTW tail flash on the plane, suggesting it may have been added only around July 15, before the start of the operational test campaign under that body. The ADTW also invited observers to capture the historic event, suggesting the special place the “platypus”, named for its oddly shaped nasal sensor, occupies among the observing community.
Here is XEC-2! pic.twitter.com/NimzL5RmXg
— tujimón (@orapo960) July 15, 2026
2026/07/15正式に”XEC-2″と命名のシンカF-2 105がお供してました。
戻りのローパス、フルストップです.
コールサインはあっと驚く、、、、、、、すぐわかります.
私は小牧で聞いてチャット走って降りに間に合いました、ラッキーでした. pic.twitter.com/NfF5JMYFp9– rikizo misono (@rikizomisono) July 15, 2026
SOJ aircraft from Japan
He June 9 update The Ministry of Defense described the The statement continued: “We will constantly develop this electronic warfare aircraft as a new force for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and we appreciate your continued support.”
The role and mission profile of the XEC-2 is very similar to that of other electronic warfare aircraft such as the Turkish Hava SOJ, the Australian MC-55A Peregrine, the American EA-37B Compass Call and the French Archange. The aircraft was carried out as a national project to have local capability in “sensitive and strategic” electromagnetic spectrum warfare technologies.
2026/3/16 岐阜飛行場
川崎重工改修機地上滑走試験
C-2（203）SOJ改修機
いよいよ出てきました、次期カモノハシ.
本日は地上滑走試験を実施.
異様な姿で見慣れるには時間が要ります.#岐阜飛行場#川崎重工
しっかしこれ…コクピット視界（前下方）どうなってるんだろ… pic.twitter.com/K28lOY5Nnc-Naoki_O (@naoki_o_0557) March 16, 2026
The aircraft, in addition to the nose sensor, has two large bulbous dome-shaped assemblies at the top of the fuselage along the spine and at the rear, between the wing and the vertical stabilizer. The new platform will replace the unique EC-1 that has been in service since 1986.
2026/3/17 岐阜飛行場
川崎重工改修機試験飛行
C-2（203）SOJ改修機
ついに新カモノハシ、空へ！
案外普通のC-2と同じように離陸していきました.#岐阜飛行場#川崎重工
…今更だけど、カモノハシが飛ぶって（以下略 pic.twitter.com/OPEj4GEUGo-Naoki_O (@naoki_o_0557) March 17, 2026
The EC-2 is the second specialized variant of the C-2, following the RC-2 signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft that first flew in 2018. The aircraft, the second prototype of the type 18-1202, was modified with similar, but smaller, protrusions compared to those of the EC-2.
The J/ALQ-5 electronic countermeasures (ECM) system is among the known equipment inherited from the EC-1 by the XEC-2. The aircraft is expected to be operated by the Denshi Sakusengun (Electronic Warfare Operations Group) at Iruma Air Base, the same one that operated the EC-1 and in the future will also operate the RC-2.
