The new XEC-2 SOJ, which first flew in March 2026, has now begun operational flight testing with the JASDF’s Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW) at Gifu Air Base.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s EC-2 Electronic Warfare Standoff Jammer (EW-SOJ) aircraft, now designated XEC-2, began its operational test and evaluation campaign on July 15, 2026. Images and media recorded by several Japanese aviation photographers showed the aircraft taking off and landing on 15 July, and the Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW) released a video confirming the development from X on 17 July.
The JASDF released its first official image of the Japanese aerial photographers reported on March 16, 2026 that the EC-2 was undergoing taxi testing and took off for the first time a day later on March 17.
The Flight Development Experiment Group began flight testing of the stand-off electronic electric vehicle (XEC-2) on July 15, 2007!
All members of the team are pushing ahead with the test and evaluation steadily and safely, despite the rain and the heat. #Flight Development Experiment Group #Air Self-Defense Force #Electronic Warfare pic.twitter.com/8wVoYAenB2— Self-Defense Force Aviation Development Experiment Group (@jasdf_adtc) July 17, 2026
At the time, there was no ATDC logo affixed to the tail of the aircraft, as can be seen in images taken by spotters during these two incidents.
A few months later, the Japanese Ministry of Defense Reported on June 9th The JASDF is said to have deployed its “first standoff electronic warfare aircraft” to the ADTW. These developments suggest that the aircraft is undergoing an operational testing campaign.
First operational test flight
During this milestone event, airplane spotters observed several interesting features. The XEC-2 tail number ’68-1203′ also includes a tail flash for the JASDF Airborne Development and Experimental Command/Test Command (ADEC/ADTC), which will now conduct operational test campaigns.
During the flight, a JASDF F-2 (Japanese domestically produced fighter aircraft based on the F-16) also accompanied the chase aircraft. A short video released by ADTC shows the XEC-2 taking off, the F-2 landing, and then landing again.
Climate Base Flight Development Experiment Group
XEC-2 68-1203
It flew with the unit’s mark attached.
It was a call sign I missed a bit🤭☺
(2026.07.15) pic.twitter.com/znf3uEoVfq— Taka.Dx (@TakaDx1) July 15, 2026
ADTC stated to
Perhaps the most fearsome electronic warfare plane ever built.
Japanese XEC-2 Platypus 🔥 https://t.co/69wsh9eNkD pic.twitter.com/7CA65059pn— Air Force Nerd (@PrecisionLabs0) July 16, 2026
Reconnaissance officers listening to open radio and ATC channels noted that the aircraft flew with the call sign “BOXER”. The call sign is commonly associated with ADTC’s C-1 transporter at Gifu AB.
climate base
F15 Mr maneuver flight
and
Mr. Platypus XEC-2 pic.twitter.com/UqaZ7gqWMh— ☆NARU☆Inazawa City (@naruse1001) July 15, 2026
The aircraft’s flight path on the date reported by one account showed XEC-2 flying just off Japan’s eastern waters in the western Pacific at an altitude of 8,750 feet.
2026/7/15 Gifu Base
2nd place
XEC-2(1203)
Companion aircraft: F-2B (105)
Take out the secret mark and the newborn Kamo-chan takes to the skies.
I’m glad to hear the slightly nostalgic call sign. #climatebase pic.twitter.com/dozHleIt2U— Naoki_O (@naoki_o_0557) July 15
Images released by the two organizations do not show the ADTW tail flash on the aircraft, suggesting it may have only been added around July 15, before an operational test campaign began on the aircraft. ADTW also invited watchers to capture the historic event, suggesting what a special place the “platypus,” so named because of its oddly shaped nose sensor, has in the watchdog community.
This is an additional post because I was able to take a lot of photos of XEC-2 today! pic.twitter.com/NimzL5RmXg
— Tujimon (@orapo960) July 15, 2026
2026/07/15 The Shinka Monohashi, officially named “XEC-2”, took its first flight today after being deployed to Gifu Base, an F-2 105.
Return low pass, full stop.
The call sign is amazing.
I heard from Komaki and ran down to chat. I was lucky. pic.twitter.com/NfF5JMYFp9— rikizomisono (@rikizomisono) July 15, 2026
Japanese SOJ aircraft
A June 9 update from the Department of Defense described the “We will continue to develop this standoff electronic warfare aircraft as a new force for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and we thank you for your continued support,” the statement added.
The role and mission profile of the The aircraft was promoted as a domestic project to have a unique capability for “sensitive and strategic” electromagnetic spectrum warfare technologies.
2026/3/16 Gifu Airfield
Kawasaki hollow converter ground taxi test
C-2 (203) SOJ Converter
It’s finally here, the next Platypus.
Today we conducted a ground glide test.
It takes some time to get used to its strange appearance. #Gifu Airfield #Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Definitely this… What is the cockpit view (front and bottom)? pic.twitter.com/K28lOY5Nnc— Naoki_O (@naoki_o_0557) March 16, 2026
Next to the nose sensors, the aircraft has two large bulbous dome-shaped arrays along the spine, at the top of the fuselage and at the rear between the wings and the vertical stabilizer. The new platform will replace the unique EC-1, which has been in service since 1986.
2026/3/17 Gifu Airfield
Kawasaki hollow converter test flight
C-2 (203) SOJ Converter
Finally, a new platypus takes to the skies!
Aside from the guidance, it took off like a normal C-2. #Gifu Airfield #Kawasaki Heavy Industries
… Now again, the platypus flies (hereinafter abbreviated pic.twitter.com/OPEj4GEUGo— Naoki_O (@naoki_o_0557) March 17, 2026
The EC-2 is the second specialized variant of the C-2 after the RC-2 signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft that first flew in 2018. The aircraft, the second prototype of this type, 18-1202, was similar to that of the EC-2 but modified with a smaller bulge.
The J/ALQ-5 electronic countermeasures (ECM) system is one of the known equipment inherited from the EC-1 to the XEC-2. The aircraft is expected to be operated by the Electronic Warfare Operations Group (Denshi Sakusengun) at Iruma Air Base, which operated the EC-1 and will also operate the RC-2 in the future.
