Japan unveils first stealth fighter jet

Japan unveiled its first radar-evading stealth aircraft, aiming to close a gap with neighbors such as China and Russia, which have been flying fighter planes equipped with the technology for more than five years.

The plane would perform its first test flight as early as mid-February.At 14 meters (46-feet) in length, the ¥40 billion ($340 million) red and white-painted X-2 is smaller than a standard jet fighter. It is unarmed and its engines are under powered. Analysts say it would take many years for Japan to develop it into an actual warplane.