AI-Generated Image Falsely Claimed as Photo of Mitsubishi F-X

Last year, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy formed a collaboration to develop a new generation of fighter jets. Then, three images showing fighter jets adorned with the Japanese flag were posted on social media, claiming to be Japan’s latest generation fighter jet, which surprised many. These images were widely reshared with such information. However, our verification found that this claim is false.

Social Media Claim

Three images of fighter jets have been widely circulated on social media platforms in recent days, claiming they are Japan’s newly unveiled fighter jets.

The claim garnered significant attention from social media users, with many expressing their admiration for the newly unveiled aviation innovation.

Below is a screenshot of the claim shared on Facebook on February 15, 2025, with the statement: “Japan’s groundbreaking 6th-generation UFO fighter jet stuns the aviation world.”

Facebook Post | Archived Link

Below is the screenshot of the same claim shared on Facebook by another social media user on February 24, 2025, which received over 1,000 shares and comments.

Facebook Post | Archived Link

Other claims detailed that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries manufactured the newly unveiled fighter jet F-X.

Below is the screenshot of the claim shared on Facebook saying the fighter jet was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Facebook Post | Archived Link

The same claim has been circulated on other social media platforms including the Meta’s newly formed Threads.

Below is the screenshot of the claim shared on Threads over a week ago, stating: “Japan’s new 6^th UFO fighter jet shocks the aviation world.”

Threads Post | Archived Link

As it has been going viral on social media, the same claim can be seen through various links here: Link 1 (archived), Link 2 (archived), Link 3 (archived), Link 4 (archived), Link 5 (archived), and Link 6 (archived).

The same claim has been widely circulated in Khmer. Below is a screenshot of the viral claim in Khmer, which received nearly 2K shares and hundreds of comments and reactions from social media users.

Facebook Post | Archived Link

As it has been going viral on social media platforms, the claim in the Khmer language can be seen through various links here: Link 1 (archived), Link 2 (archived), Link 3 (archived), and Link 4 (archived).

Facebook Post | Archived Link

FACT CHECK

Fact Crescendo initiated the debunking process by using Google Reverse Image Search and an AI detection tool, alongside a review of reliable news sources. Through these methods, we uncovered the following facts.

Using keyword searches on Google reveals that Japan, the United Kingdom., and Italy have collaborated to develop advanced fighter jets under their joint initiative, the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP).

Their cooperation was broadly reported by reputable media outlets around the globe including Japan Times, France 24, and the American news agency AP.

According to an AP report, the joint program plans to deploy its advanced fighter jet ten years later after its program inception.

According to reports from Japan Times, France 24, and AP, no fighter jet has been unveiled so far. However, various concepts of the fighter jet were showcased in Japan and the United Kingdom last year.

Below is a screenshot of a model of next-generation fighter jets, jointly developed by Japan, the U.K., and Italy. This model was showcased at the Japan International Aerospace Exhibition in Tokyo last October.

AP | Archived Link

Below is the screenshot of a model of the next-generation fighter jets, jointly developed by Japan, the U.K., and Italy. The concept was showcased at Farnborough International Airshow last year.

France 24 | Archived Link

Below is a screenshot of another model of the future fighter jet, jointly developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan, Leonardo of the U.K., and Italy’s BAE Systems. This model was presented at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom last year.

Japan Times | Archived Link

Fact Crescendo observed that the images of the fighter jets posted on social media do not resemble the prototypes displayed by the three countries for their joint production plans.

Upon examining the images posted on social media, Fact Crescendo identified several anomalies, leading to the suspicion that these images were created by artificial intelligence programs.

One unusual detail is that all the people in the picture are in the same position or posture, with both hands in their pockets. See the spotted image below.

Suspicious of the image’s authenticity, Fact Crescendo utilized sighteengine’s AI content analysis software. The software revealed that the image was artificially generated, not a depiction of an actual event.

Below is a screenshot from an analysis by the website sightengine, which reveals that the image was generated by an AI program.

Below is a screenshot from another image analysis by the website Sightengine, indicating that this image was also generated by an AI program.

According to an article in the US magazine Defense News, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is currently developing a sixth-generation fighter jet for the Japanese Air Force. The new fighter, named the Mitsubishi F-X, is slated for release in 2035, replacing the Mitsubishi F-2. Read the full article here (archived)

Fact Crescendo has attempted to locate a reliable contact for the press officer at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries but has been unsuccessful. We will continue to seek accurate information and provide updates regarding the company’s newly unveiled fighter jet as soon as possible.

CONCLUSION

Fact Crescendo finds out the claim described above is false. The above claim is false. No official photos of Japan’s new generation fighter jet have been released so far. The images posted on social media were created by AI. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which has received a contract from the Japanese government, is currently developing the sixth-generation fighter jet for the Japanese Air Force, scheduled for release in 2035.