A “specially instrumented” Lockheed Martin F-35B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL)-capable Joint Strike Fighter aircraft operated by the United States has landed aboard Japan’s Izumo-class helicopter-destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184) for the first time on 20 October, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) announced.
The milestone event took place off the southern coast of California and marks the start of developmental testing for JS Kaga, which underwent modifications to conduct fixed-wing aircraft operations before embarking on its journey to San Diego.
Modifications included coating its deck with heat-resistant material to withstand the F-35B’s engine wash, installing lights for nighttime operations, and reshaping the flight deck’s bow from a trapezoid to a rectangular shape.
“This test is essential for strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities and is of utmost importance,” said commanding officer of JS Kaga, Captain Shusaku Takeuchi.
“This test does not merely enhance the capabilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force,” added Capt Takeuchi. “It also improves the 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 Indo-Pacific region.”
According to the US Navy, the F-35B was operated by the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23) based Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS Pax River) in Maryland. A test and support team – comprising pilots, aircraft maintainers, flight test engineers, flight test control engineers, flight deck personnel, and logisticians – from the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF) also embarked JS Kaga in San Diego.
The JMSDF earlier announced on 10 September that it will conduct ship-based developmental trials from 5 October to 18 November.
The service also released official images of Kaga in an advanced stage of conversion for STOVL aircraft operations in late December 2023, which depicted the vessel on a series of sea trials after a considerable drydock period to perform refit work at Japan Marine United (JMU)’s Kure shipyard in Hiroshima.
Kaga is the second of two Izumo-class helicopter carriers operated by the JMSDF. Lead vessel JS Izumo was commissioned in March 2015 while Kaga entered service two years later. Although conceived as “multipurpose destroyers” that can support seaborne helicopter operations, the Izumo-class was subsequently built with weight and strength provisions for possible fixed-wing aircraft operations.
by Jr Ng
