Advancing in the process of preparing to operate F-35B fighters, in close cooperation with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the helicopter carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184) of the Japan Self-Defense Forces has completed its testing period off the coast of California. This period began on October 19, after the vessel departed the previous month from Kure Naval Base, already showcasing various significant modifications that allowed it to deploy the mentioned stealth aircraft from its deck, which was originally designed solely for helicopters.
Delving into details, the F-35B aircraft involved in the tests are operated by the U.S. Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron “Salty Dogs” 23 (VX-23), with participation from pilots of the Patuxent River F-35 Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF). This U.S. unit is responsible for conducting all necessary tests for the carrier-capable variant of the stealth fighter, including pilots not only from the U.S. Armed Forces but also from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, along with personnel from the manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
It’s also noteworthy that this is the second test conducted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) on one of its Izumo-class vessels with U.S. F-35B fighters. Previously, in October 2021, the JS Izumo (DDH-183) was deployed for testing with aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242), based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
As mentioned, both JS Izumo and JS Kaga underwent significant modification work from their original design, divided into two major stages. The first stage was completed in 2021 for JS Izumo, including the addition of a heat-resistant coating, a redesign of landing markings, and updates to deck-related equipment. In the case of JS Kaga, a modification was also made to the ship’s bow, changing from a trapezoidal to a rectangular deck shape, similar to that of the U.S. Wasp-class ships.
Regarding the second stage of modifications, the JMSDF aims to begin next year with detailed modifications to the deck shape on JS Izumo, while using data from this recent test on JS Kaga to better adapt the aircraft and supply storage compartments to operational needs. According to USNI News, this work is expected to be completed by 2026, allowing JS Izumo to return to the fleet while its sister ship returns to port to incorporate these final upgrades.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Japan has decided to operate its 42 F-35B fighters under the Air Self-Defense Force, which will also include a larger batch of F-35A fighters. This differs from the plans adopted by other platform users, mainly Italy and the United Kingdom, from whom Japan has learned lessons by sending delegations to their tests in 2021 and through visits made this year. Both countries have stipulated that their B-variant stealth fighters will be operated by both their Air Forces and Navies, demonstrating a high degree of interchangeability between personnel for deployment on aircraft carriers.
Image credits: @JMSDF_PAO on X
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