US Navy F-35 fighter jet just landed on a Japanese ‘aircraft carrier’

What you need to know: The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) achieved a milestone in its aircraft carrier capabilities when a US Navy F-35B Lightning II performed its first landing on the JS Kaga (DDH-184).

-The Kagaan Izumo-class multi-role destroyer, has undergone modifications to support the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the fifth-generation fighter. This step follows a similar test on JS Izumo in 2021, marking Japan’s first fixed-wing operations since World War II.

-These tests expand the JMSDF’s air capabilities and strengthen interoperability between the US and Japan amid rising tensions in the East China Sea.

Japan moves closer to carrier operations with F-35B landing at JS Kaga

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has moved one step closer to officially operating an aircraft carrier after a US Navy F-35B Lightning II landed on the JS. Kaga (DDH-184) for the first time on Sunday, the US Navy announced. The Izumo-class multi-role destroyer has undergone a conversion to work with the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin stealth fighter.

JS Kaga, which left its homeport at Naval Base Kure, Japan, in September, arrived in San Diego earlier this month.

The U.S. Navy deployed personnel from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23), Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS Pax River), Maryland, including the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force (PAX ITF) for the carrying out the tests. In addition to the F-35B pilots, the team reportedly included “aircraft maintainers, flight test engineers, flight test control engineers, flight crew, logistics personnel and others, with support from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.”

The tests are expected to last approximately three weeks and will include a variety of flight operations from the Japanese flattop.

“We are proud to be part of this joint effort to test the compatibility of the F-35B on board JS Kaga,” said Seth Dion, Pax ITF team leader. “Our team has prepared meticulously for this mission and we are committed to working closely with our allies to achieve our shared goals and strengthen our partnership.”

Preparation for operations on Japanese aircraft carriers

Sunday’s test follows a similar test conducted in October 2021 on the JS Izumo (DDH-183), the first time since World War II that a Japanese warship operated a fixed-wing fighter aircraft.

“Changes to the Kaga include painting the cockpit with heat-resistant material that tolerates the F-35B’s vectored-thrust engines, installing lighting for night operations and reshaping the bow of the cockpit from a trapezoid shape to a rectangular shape,” according to the US Navy. announced.

The trials will also help “pave the way” for future joint operations between the U.S. Navy and the JMSDF.

“This test is essential for strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities and is of utmost importance. We will do our best to achieve good test results together with the ITF,” said Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Captain Shusaku Takeuchi, commander of JS Kaga. “This test not only increases the capabilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force. It also enhances interoperability between Japan and the US, strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance, thereby contributing to peace and stability in the Indian Ocean. -Pacific region.”

The JMSDF has served the JS Izumo and JS Kaga since 2013 and 2015 respectively. Although the two warships resemble modern aircraft carriers, they were officially described by Tokyo as a “multi-role operations destroyer” because their primary purpose was to detect and destroy enemy submarines in Japan’s self-defense with rotary aircraft.

Then in 2018, Tokyo approved a plan that would significantly increase the warships’ capabilities – by converting them into de facto aircraft carriers. Each of the ships has already begun a two-phase transformation that will allow them to operate fixed-wing aircraft, specifically the F-35B Lightning II.

JS Izumo has undergone the first phase of modification, including the application of heat-resistant paint to the cockpit, while JS Kaga has seen the aforementioned bow section change – which has led to it drawing comparisons to the US Navy’s Wasp-class and American-class amphibious assault ships.

Either of the converted warships could significantly increase the JMSDF’s ability to conduct air operations in the disputed East China Sea – a move that has drawn condemnation from Beijing.

Experience and expertise of author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a writer from Michigan. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites with more than 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He writes regularly about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics and international affairs. Peter is also one Contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can send the author an email: (email protected).

Image credits: Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock.