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Japan's Latest F-35 Sea Trials
November 07, 2024
Japan is strengthening allied deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, with the help of allies and the F-35.
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Off the coast of southern California, F-35B sea trials on Japan鈥檚 multi-functional vessel JS Kaga are advancing Japan鈥檚 ability to operate fixed-wing aircraft at sea, including the world鈥檚 only stealth, supersonic jump jet.聽
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A test pilot flew a specially instrumented F-35B from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three, supported by the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force.
Ship Shape
The F-35 sea trials are evaluating recent modifications to conduct fixed-wing aircraft operations.
Changes to the Kaga included adding heat-resistant material to the multi-functional destroyer鈥檚 flight deck, installing lights for nighttime operations, and reshaping the flight deck鈥檚 bow from a trapezoid to a rectangular shape.
Japan previously tested the F-35B from the deck of JS Izumo 鈥 the first fixed-wing aircraft to fly from a Japanese military ship since World War II.
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Flying Colors
The F-35 is the fighter of choice across the Indo-Pacific and Europe, where allies are leveraging for joint training and operations.
鈥淭his test is essential for strengthening Japan's defense capabilities and is of utmost importance,鈥 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Shusaku Takeuchi, commanding officer of JS Kaga.
鈥淚t 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.鈥
Partners in the Pacific
That F-35 interoperability is also boosting partnerships with allies over the horizon.
Last year, Japanese military officers HMS Prince of Wales to watch F-35Bs operate offshore.聽
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鈥淚t is quite possible we will one day see a Japanese F-35B landing on the deck of HMS Prince of Wales,鈥澛犅燫oyal Navy Lt. Commander Roderick Royce.聽
By 2035, there will be a permanent presence of over 300 F-35s in the Indo-Pacific, including Japan鈥檚 5th Gen fleet.
