US Navy F-35B: Successful landing test on aircraft carrier “Kaga”
・US Navy and US Marine Corps support off the coast of San Diego
・Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force publishes four photos
Summary from article published in Naval News.
F35B successfully lands on “Kaga”: October 21
Tests are being conducted off the coast of San Diego with the support of the US Navy and US Marine Corps.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force published four photos under “X”.
1. The F35B lowers vertically directly above the deck of “Kaga”
2. The aircraft is secured to the deck after landing, etc. were published.
The test period will run until mid-November, and takeoff tests will also be conducted during this period.
In the future, “Kaga” will undergo a second refurbishment, including changes to the interior compartments.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s large escort ship “Kaga”:
1. In March 2024, “Kaga” completed its first renovation, becoming capable of taking off and landing the F35B.
2. The second major renovation was carried out to take off and land the F35B, effectively turning it into an “aircraft carrier.”
The Japanese government will not regularly carry F35B-composed units on “Kaga.”
In addition, under the Japanese Constitution, “Kaga” does not qualify as an “attack aircraft carrier.”
Japan’s MoD＆ the U.S. DoD :
F-35B have successfully landed on the deck of Japan’s Izumo-class multi-functional destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184)
for the first time on 20 October off the southern coast of California.
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron : Two Three (VX-23) :
１．an aviation unit of the USN based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on the East Coast,
２．21 Oct 2024, The F-35B, touched down on the ship about 3:15 p.m. on that day,
Michael Land：
An officer for the Naval Air Station Patuxent River,Maryland,
F-35 Lightning II Integrated Test Force：
１．Sea trials will leverage the ship’s recent modifications to conduct fixed-wing aircraft operations. The trials will also pave the way for allies’ increased ability to operate in conjunction with each other.”
２．This test is essential for strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities and is of utmost importance.
Shusaku Takeuchi：
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. commanding officer,
１．This test does not merely enhance the capabilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
２．It also improves the interoperability between Japan and the U.S., strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S.
alliance, thereby contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” the captain also said.
The support of the USN and United States Marine Corps：
The operational tests of the Kaga：
１． As part of the deployment of the The support of the USN and United States Marine Corps.
２．About 20 members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are also participating in the operational tests.
Landing tests of the F-35B on the Izumo：
In October 2021, the JMSDF also conducted takeoff and landing tests of the F-35B on the Izumo.
１．supported by the U.S. Marine Corps. The tests took place off the coast of Shikoku,
２．F35Bs belonging to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni participated.
U.S.-made F-35Bs：
The JASDF has yet to receive any U.S.-made F-35Bs.
１．although the first is scheduled to be delivered to Japan by the end of fiscal year 2024,which is March 2025.
２．The JASDF plans to acquire a total of 42 F-35Bs.
Tokyo plans to deploy the fighter ：
３．aircraft to JASDF’s Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture located in southeastern Kyushu Island on Japan’s Pacific coast,
４．during the current fiscal year, by establishing a roughly 110-men Temporary F-35B Squadron in the air base.