U.S. Navy F-35B Makes First Ever Landing Aboard JS Kaga
A U.S. Navy F-35B Lightning II landed aboard the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s JS Kaga on Sunday, the first time the aircraft has landed aboard the JMSDF multi-function destroyer.
A test pilot landed a specially instrumented F-35B from the U.S. Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23 Evaluators) on the Kaga off the southern coast of California, with the aircraft touching down about 3:15PM local time.
The landing of the F-35B is part of the start of developmental tests of the Kaga’s modifications to support future F-35B operations, which are planned to continue over the next three weeks. The Kaga has received new heat-resistant deck material that can tolerate the heat of the F-35B’s engine exhaust in vertical landing mode, new lights for nighttime operations, and a reshaped flight deck bow that is now rectangular instead of trapezoid.
“This test is essential for strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities and is of utmost importance. We will do our best to achieve good test results together with the ITF,” said Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Shusaku Takeuchi, commanding officer, JS Kaga. “This test does not merely enhance the capabilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force. 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 F-35B is joined by a test team from the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF), who embarked the Kaga during its port call in San Diego last week. In addition to F-35 test pilots, the Pax ITF team includes aircraft maintainers, flight test engineers, flight test control engineers, flight deck personnel, logisticians, and others, with support from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
“We are proud to be part of this joint effort to test the compatibility of F-35B aboard JS Kaga,” said Seth Dion, Pax ITF team lead. “Our team has prepared meticulously for this mission, and we are committed to working closely with our allies to achieve our shared goals and strengthen our partnership.”
U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs have previously landed on sister ship JS Izumo in October 2021, with the Izumo to receive further modifications to better support F-35B operations incorporating lessons learned from those trials.
Japan currently plans to procure 42 F-35Bs, with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force planned to receive its first F-35Bs by the end of the current fiscal year in March 2025. The F-35Bs will be initially operated by a “temporary” squadron based at Nyutabaru Air Base on the island of Kyushu.