US NAVAIR: US Navy F35B conducts joint operational test with “Kaga”
– “Izumo” and “Kaga” already equipped with JPALS landing guidance system
– F35B of VX23, the largest US fleet, will directly participate in operational test
Summary from Yahoo Japan article.
F35B test on MSDF destroyer “Kaga”:
US Navy F35B of US NAVAIR will conduct on-board operational test of “Kaga”.
US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR):
F35B belonging to VX23, the largest US fleet, will directly participate in joint operational test of “Kaga”.
F35B test on British aircraft carrier Prince of Wales (R09):
From October to early November last year, US Navy test unit VX23 conducted F35B operational test on board the British Navy aircraft carrier Prince of Wales (R09) off the east coast of the US.
VX23 Homepage:
VX23 is based at Naval Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
Plans and conducts tests, and provides safety monitoring and support for the F/A-18A-D Hornet,
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet,
EA-18G Growler, T-45C Goshawk,
F35B and F35C.
Japan’s second Izumo-class destroyer, Kaga:
The second Izumo-class destroyer, the largest destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Kaga.
1. Conducts on-board operational tests using the F35B in collaboration with the US military.
2. On September 17, it departed from its home port, the JMSDF Kure Base, for the coast of San Diego, USA.
Main test items on board the Kaga:
1. F35B short takeoff and vertical landing, and
2. The US Navy announced that it will conduct shipboard operations of the F35B.
In addition to taking off and landing tests of the F35B, it will also move the F35B from the ship to an onboard hangar.
So, which US military unit’s F35B will conduct the operational tests on the Kaga?
There are three types of F35:
1. The F35A, a conventional takeoff and landing aircraft for the US Air Force,
2. The F35B for the US Marine Corps, which can take off and land vertically in a short distance,
3. The F35C, a shipboard type for the US Navy.
Japan Maritime Staff Office: Public Relations Office
So, will the F35B belonging to the US Marine Corps participate?
According to the Public Relations Office of the Japan Maritime Staff Office, this is not the case.
US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR):
1. The F35B belonging to VX23 will directly participate in the operational tests of the Kaga.
2. VX23 has already conducted operational tests of the F35B on the Prince of Wales.
F35B takeoff and landing test on the Izumo:
In October 2021, the destroyer Izumo conducted its first takeoff and landing test of the F35B.
1. This time, off the coast of Shikoku, two F35Bs from the US Marine Corps’ Iwakuni Base participated.
2. Mostly takeoff and landing tests were conducted. However, the landing guidance system was not used.
This time, the Kaga’s takeoff and landing test:
Regarding whether the landing guidance system will be used, the MSDF Public Relations Office said, “We would like to refrain from answering.”
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/015b391b30569cf8e289e8b8a499f0a40da4181b
Japan’s escort ship “Izumo”: Contract with Raytheon for F35B landing guidance system:
US Navy Air Systems Command (NAVAIR):
Contract to equip the JMSDF escort ship “Izumo” with a ‘F35B landing guidance system’.
NAVAIR awarded the contract to Raytheon Intelligence & Space (RI&S).
The contract amount is $8.6 million (approximately 1.13 billion yen).
NAVAIR: Press release on February 7:
In December 2022, the US Navy contracted with Raytheon through FMS (Foreign Military Sales).
NAVAIR is an organization that provides support for aircraft and airborne weapons to the U.S. Navy.
Izumo’s landing guidance system: JPALS:
The U.S. Navy and Raytheon jointly developed the JPALS (Joint Precision Approach and Landing System).
1. JPALS uses a combination of GPS satellites and an inertial navigation system (INS).
2. It automatically guides F35B and Osprey military aircraft to land safely and accurately.
First ship “Izumo” and second ship “Kaga”: landing guidance system:
2022 defense budget:
A budget of 3.6 billion yen has been allocated to acquire the landing guidance system for “Izumo” in advance.
2023 defense budget:
5.2 billion yen has been allocated for the renovation of “Izumo” and “Kaga”, and the landing guidance system for “Kaga” will be acquired.
According to NAVAIR, JPALS will be deployed on “Izumo” in 2024.
JPALS deployment status:
JPALS is currently deployed on all U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.
1. Deployed on the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier “Queen Elizabeth”
2. Also deployed on the Italian Navy’s light aircraft carrier “Cavour”.
3. The JMSDF’s “Izumo” and “Kaga” will join this.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/5a411c7c9e6f746adda01e5a1ec67676ea4c9f03