🇺🇸 US F-35s begin replacing F-16s in Japan

 

The United States Air Force has begun deploying F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Misawa Air Base, marking the start of a transition from the ageing F-16C Fighting Falcon fleet. An initial contingent arrived over the weekend and has been assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron.

The deployment follows earlier plans announced in 2024 to replace the 36 F-16s based at Misawa with a total of 48 F-35As. The arrival of the first aircraft represents the initial phase of that transition rather than a complete replacement.

The F-16 has been a long-standing component of US presence in Japan, but increasing maintenance demands and evolving operational requirements have driven the shift toward fifth-generation platforms. The introduction of the F-35 brings enhanced stealth, sensor fusion and survivability.

The transition is expected to take place progressively as additional aircraft are delivered. Misawa will remain a key location in the evolving US air posture in the Indo-Pacific.

Japan acquires two additional MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones to enhance maritime surveillance

The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has expanded its fleet of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) by ordering two additional SeaGuardian drones from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), with delivery expected in 2025. These UAVs will be equipped with the advanced Optix+ software suite, which utilizes sensor fusion to collect and analyze data from the drones’ sensors and other sources, providing a comprehensive operational overview.

This latest acquisition builds on the JCG’s earlier agreements with GA-ASI. Since April 2022, the JCG has operated SeaGuardians under a Company-Owned, Contractor-Operated (COCO) arrangement, conducting extensive Maritime Wide Area Search (MWAS) operations over the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean from the Hachinohe Air Base. The success of these missions prompted the JCG to further enhance its capabilities, adding two more SeaGuardians in May 2023, which were notably utilized during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima and in search and rescue efforts after the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

The new SeaGuardians will be based at Kitakyushu Airport in Fukuoka Prefecture, marking a transition from Hachinohe Air Base as the JCG’s lease concludes in March 2025. Sojitz Corporation, which is responsible for delivering and supporting these UAVs, emphasized its ongoing commitment to bolstering Japan’s maritime safety and security.

These UAVs come equipped with Raytheon’s SeaVue radar, advanced electro-optical and infrared sensors, and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), enhancing the JCG’s maritime patrol and rescue missions. Sojitz Corporation, a longtime supplier to the JCG, will continue providing support through delivery and maintenance of these UAVs.

Spanish Ejército del Aire 14th Wing Based in Albacete will conduct maneuvers in Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, and India during 2024

 

According to statements made by the Chief Colonel of the 14th Wing of the Spanish Air Force last December, as part of a military festivity, the 14th Wing will engage in maneuvers alongside the German Luftwaffe and the French Armée de L'Air in Alaska (USA), Japan, and Hawaii between June and August 2024. This presents a significant challenge for the unit, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Established in 1974 to operate the Dassault Aviation Mirage F-1, one of the most advanced fighters of its time, the 14th Wing was located in Albacete at the decision of the Ministry of the Air. Prior to that, the base hosted the 37th Transport Wing equipped with DHC-4 Caribou aircraft.

The first 4 Mirage F1 arrived in Albacete on June 18, 1975, from the French airbase Mont de Marsans, part of an initial order of 48 units. In 2011, the transformation process to the Eurofighter began, and the wing currently operates around 35 units.

The Luftwaffe will lead these deployments, following a similar deployment in 2022 called Rapid Pacific in the Asia-Pacific region, involving 6 Eurofighters, 4 A400M transport aircraft, and 3 A330 MRTT tanker aircraft. The objective was to practice deployment and interoperability with allied countries from different continents if the need arises.

Initially, the 14th Wing will fly with 4 Eurofighters to Alaska for the Arctic Defender 2024 exercise, alongside 8 German Eurofighters, 12 Tornados, and 6 French Rafales, as well as A400M and A330 MRTT transport aircraft from all three countries.

After participating in this exercise, the next stop will be Japan for interoperability exercises with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Subsequently, the aircraft will move to Hawaii to take part in the RIMPAC exercises organized by the US Navy.

Towards the end of July, the 14th Wing will participate in the 'Pitch Black' exercises in Australia, and the final leg will be in India, with the intention of joining the 'Tarang Shakti' exercises with the Indian Air Force, before returning to Europe.

However, this won't be the first time the 14th Wing has participated in maneuvers in such distant locations. In 2002, the wing took part in the Cope Thunder exercise in Alaska alongside aircraft from the USA, France, and Japan.

United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan Ink GCAP Development Deal

In response to escalating geopolitical threats posed by China, Russia, and North Korea, the defense ministers of Japan, Britain, and Italy have solidified their commitment to a groundbreaking joint initiative known as the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in fostering collective defense capabilities and fortifying security measures among the three nations.

The GCAP is a collaborative endeavor that entails the amalgamation of key aerospace and defense entities, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries from Japan, BAE Systems PLC from Britain, and Leonardo from Italy. United under the umbrella of the GCAP International Government Organization, headquartered in Britain, this consortium is tasked with orchestrating a unified approach to develop an advanced fighter jet of unparalleled capability. The organization's structure, overseen by a rotation of leadership between the participating nations, ensures equitable governance, with Japanese officials directing the organization and Italian representatives spearheading the joint venture. This cooperative framework underscores the commitment to shared objectives, including the development of cutting-edge technology and the allocation of responsibilities across critical aspects such as propulsion systems, avionics, and integrated weapon systems.

Nevertheless, the success of this ambitious venture hinges upon Japan revising its postwar ban on the export of jointly developed lethal weapons to third countries. Discussions within Japan to facilitate policy adjustments are underway, seeking authorization for the potential export of the jointly developed fighter jet to international partners. The timely resolution of this policy impediment is crucial for the seamless progression of the project.

The collaborative effort is a culmination of previously independent initiatives—the UK's Tempest and Japan's Mitsubishi F-X—converging to conceive a next-generation combat aircraft slated for operational deployment by 2035. Beyond bolstering regional defense capabilities, the program aims to counterbalance China's increasingly assertive posture in the Indo-Pacific region, serving as a testament to the commitment to regional stability and security.

The Tempest project, christened as such in the UK, signifies a leap forward in aerospace technology, boasting revolutionary features. These encompass a sophisticated radar system with significantly enhanced data capabilities compared to existing systems. Additionally, the cockpit design integrates cutting-edge virtual reality elements to empower pilots with enhanced situational awareness and decision-making capabilities. Furthermore, an AI-powered weapons system is envisioned to optimize the aircraft's combat effectiveness, heralding a new era of advanced aerial warfare capabilities.

The signing of the treaty in Tokyo reaffirms the unwavering dedication of Italy, Japan, and the UK to jointly engineer a sophisticated, interoperable, and adaptable fighter jet. Guido Crosetto, the Italian Defense Minister, underscored the program's paramount importance in confronting global threats, highlighting the shared values and robust relations between the participating nations. This collaborative initiative seeks not only to address immediate security challenges but also to forge enduring defense partnerships and fortify global security in an increasingly complex and uncertain geopolitical landscape.

US Military Grounds Entire V-22 Osprey Fleet After Fatal Crash in Japan

The recent crash of a U.S. Air Force CV-22 off the coast of Yakushima Island in Japan, resulting in the loss of all eight crew members on board, has prompted a drastic action: the suspension of all flights of the V-22 Osprey fleet.The recent crash of a U.S. Air Force CV-22 off the coast of Yakushima Island in Japan, resulting in the loss of all eight crew members on board, has prompted a drastic action: the suspension of all flights of the V-22 Osprey fleet. Both the Air Force Special Operations Command and the Naval Air Systems Command have made this decision to mitigate risk while investigating the crash.

Initial inquiries suggest a potential material failure as the cause of the accident, yet the underlying cause of this failure remains undetermined. This uncertainty has led to the temporary halt of Osprey flights in an effort to ensure the safety of future operations.

The V-22 Osprey has had a history marked by operational and mechanical issues, having been involved in several fatal incidents over the past 30 years. This Japan crash adds to a string of unfortunate events, including the deaths of three U.S. Marines in an MV-22 during a military exercise in Australia, along with other fatal incidents in previous years.

Different versions of the V-22 Osprey are employed across various branches – the Marines operate the MV-22, the Air Force utilizes the CV-22, and the Navy operates the CMV-22. Additionally, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force employs its own variant, the Japan MV-22.

Following personnel recovery operations, the Air Force Special Operations Command mentioned on Wednesday that their focus would shift toward salvaging the remaining aircraft debris. Six of the eight airmen onboard have been recovered from last week’s crash, with three of them identified. 

The tragic incident has led to an operational standdown of the entire V-22 Osprey fleet by both the Air Force and Naval commands, reflecting the severity of the crash and the need to ascertain the cause before resuming operations. The Osprey, utilized by various military branches and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, has faced a history of mechanical challenges and has been involved in several fatal incidents over the years.

The current priority remains the recovery efforts for both the aircraft wreckage and the crew members affected by the crash. The suspension of Osprey flights continues as investigators work to determine the root cause of the mishap.

Japan Shows Interest in Eurodrone, Secures Observer Status

 On November 30, Japan officially became an Observer in the European Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (MALE RPAS) Programme, also known as Eurodrone, overseen by the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR). This move signifies Japan's growing interest in collaborating with European countries on crucial defense projects.

The Letter of Approval, signed by Vice-Admiral Stawitzki, Chairman of the OCCAR Board of Supervisors (BoS), was handed to Japan's Ambassador to Germany, Hidenao Yanagi, by Joachim Sucker, the OCCAR-EA Director. This milestone reflects Japan's willingness to engage with OCCAR and explore collaborative opportunities, emphasizing the significance of Japan-Europe cooperation in defense technologies and strategies.

The Eurodrone project, initiated in 2016, has achieved noteworthy milestones, including the successful conclusion of a Definition Study that established common requirements among Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. Subsequently, a System Requirement Review (SRR) and a System Preliminary Design Review (SPDR) were completed. Airbus Defence and Space GmbH leads the project as the Prime Contractor, with Airbus Defence and Space S.A.U, Leonardo, and Dassault as Major Sub-Contractors. The formalization of the contract took place on February 24, 2022, covering development, production, and initial in-service support for 20 systems.

Financial support for the MALE RPAS program was secured from the European Commission under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) in 2021. OCCAR finalized a Grant Agreement with industrial partners after the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and the Critical Design Review (CDR). Manufacturing of the first prototype is slated to start in 2024, with serial item deliveries targeted by the decade's end.

The European MALE RPAS is anticipated to play a crucial role in future operations, offering cutting-edge capabilities to European nations and forming a significant component of any Future Combat Air System (FCAS) to bolster collaborative combat capabilities.

Japan, UK, Italy to agree on next-generation F-X fighter development

The authorities of Japan will soon reach an agreement with the United Kingdom and Italy on the development of a successor for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF)’s F-2 fighter.

A formal agreement is expected in December 2022, as reported by the local daily newspaper Asahi. The arrangement will include provisions for the export of the future fighter jet.
Japan’s next-generation fighter jet will replace the Mitsubishi F-2, a Japanese version of the F-16, currently operated by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force. It should be a twin-engine stealth fighter which will include the research done on the experimental X-2 Shinshin, a canceled fifth-generation fighter jet program. In November 2020, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) was awarded the leadership of the F-X program. 

British aerospace manufacturer BAE Systems will help Mitsubishi Heavy Industries develop the F-X fighter, while Rolls-Royce will assist IHI Corporation with developing the XF9 engine for the aircraft. According to Asahi, Avio Aero from Italy will also be involved in the development of the engine.

The F-X fighter is set to be operational by 2035, when the F-2 will begin to be phased out.

aerotime 

NEWS 2022 March, 23

USA Sending Ex-Soviet Air Defense Missiles Systems to Ukraine

The Pentagon over the years has acquired Soviet equipment as part of a clandestine program, and now such weapons are going to Ukraine

The U.S. is sending some of the Soviet-made air defense equipment it secretly acquired decades ago to bolster the Ukrainian military as it seeks to fend off Russian air and missile attacks, U.S. officials said.

The systems, which said include the SA-8, are decades old and were obtained by the U.S. so it could examine the technology used by the Russian military and which Moscow has exported around the world.

wsj

Japan spots Russian amphibious ships traveling between its islands

Japan says Russian amphibious ships transiting through a narrow strait between its islands could be moving fresh forces from Russia’s far east to Ukraine.

Four landing ship tanks, including one with its deck full of military trucks, were seen sailing in the Pacific Ocean westbound in the middle of last week, according to a news release from the Joint Staff’s Public Affairs office within Japan’s Defense Ministry.

The ships were the Alligator IV-class Nikolay Vilkov; the Ropucha I-class Oslyabya and Admiral Nevelskov; and the Ropucha II-class Peresvet. All four belong to the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet and make up the entirety of its major amphibious units.

Photos released by the ministry showed the top deck of the Nikolay Vilkov packed with at least 17 military trucks..

The ships were then detected by Japan on the morning of March 16, 220 kilometers northeast of Cape Shiryazaki.

The vessels were watched from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s destroyer JS Shiranui and P-3C maritime patrol aircraft.

The route taken by the Russian ships appears to suggest they were heading from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia’s Kamchakta Peninsula to Vladivostok, where they will most likely be loaded onto westbound trains if they are indeed bound for Ukraine.

defensenews

NEWS 2022 March, 14

Germany to buy up to 35 Lockheed F-35 fighter jets to replace its Tornados

Germany will purchase F-35 fighter jetsto replace its ageing Tornado aircraft, according to two government sources, with one of the sources saying Berlin aims to buy up to 35 units.

The Tornado is the only German jet capable of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs, stored in Germany, Berlin is planning to phase it out between 2025 and 2030.

The decision could also upset, concerned a deal could undermine the development of a joint Franco-German fighter jet that is supposed to be ready in the 2040s, the FCAS programme.

reuters

First RQ-4B for JASDF arrives in Japan

The delivery comes nearly a year after Northrop Grumman flew Japan’s first RQ-4B in April 2021.

Japan is buying three examples of the RQ-4 Block 30(I) UAV. A Foreign Military Sales programme deal for the ISR aircraft was approved by the US Department of State in 2015.

Other customers for the RQ-4 are NATO and South Korea.

The US Air Force (USAF), NATO and South Korea are also customers for the RQ-4. The US Navy and Royal Australian Air Force are customers for the MQ-4 Triton, which is designed for the maritime patrol mission.

flightglobal

NEWS 2022, March 3rd

Norway receives its first P-8A 'Viking'

On February 24, Norway's first P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) landed at Norway's Evenes airport.
Norway’s new maritime surveillance aircraft, the P-8 Poseidon, will begin patrolling sea areas in 2023. 

The primary mission of P-8 Poseidon is to maintain maritime surveillance and to assist in the development of situational awareness in Norwegian local areas. 
navalnews

TURKEY LHD 'ANADOLU' ENTERS SEA TRIALS PHASE

On February 27, Turkey's Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), the future TCG Anadolu, based in Spanish LHD Juan Carlos I, which is set to become the flagship of the Turkish Navy (Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri) started sea trials.

The initial plan was to commission LHD Anadolu for the Turkish Navy in 2021, but due to delays for a variety of reasons, the deadline has had to be rescheduled. As a result, LHD Anadolu was expected to enter service in 2022, but SSB’s video and statement on the Turkish Defense Industry’s 2022 Projection do not include the LHD’s commissioning.

navalnews

FOUR RUSSIAN JETS VIOLATED SWEEDEN AIRSPACE

Sweeden said four Russian jet fighters violated its airspace the day after the country’s prime minister said her government will seek to boost the country’s military capabilities in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Swedish military officials said the four fighters, two Russian SU-24s and two SU-27s, entered into Swedish airspace on Wednesday just east of the island of Gotland over the Baltic Sea.

A Swedish Jas 39 Gripen fighter tracked the incursion and took photographs of the Russian jets, which quickly left the area.

menafn.com

TURKEY SENDS ADDITIONAL TB2 BAYRAKTAR UCAVs to UKRAINE

Turkey has airlifted additional Baykar Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to Ukraine. The Ukrainian defence minister said on 2 March that new combat ready TB2s had arrived in the country as part of a package of international military assistance. 

The minister's statement followed rumours of a delivery of new TB2s from Turkey after a Turkish Air Force Airbus A400M transport aircraft was tracked flying from Ankara to Poland on 1 March. Prior to the Russian invasion, Ukraine was known to have received six TB2s from Turkey. The minister did not say how many additional TB2s had been delivered. The TB2 is the only UCAV in Ukrainian service and was first used by the country in October 2021. 

Footage released by the Ukrainian government since the launch of offensive Russian operations on 24 February has shown the TB2s to have been heavily engaged in the fighting, destroying several ground vehicles. The TB2 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that was developed to provide the Turkish Army with a tactical intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance capability. 

janes

RUSSIAN HELICOPTER ENTERS JAPAN AEROSPACE

Japan scrambled a fighter jet on Wednesday in response to what appeared to be a Russian helicopter entering its airspace, amid heightened tensions over the crisis in Ukraine. 

The helicopter crossed into Japanese airspace over waters off of the northern island of Hokkaido, the defense ministry said in a brief statement. 

Japan issued warnings and sent an Air Self-Defense Force fighter to respond to the incursion, the ministry said. Tokyo issued a protest with the Russian government through a diplomatic channel. newsbreak

US approves sale of 105 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Japan

The US Department of State has approved a potential USD23.11 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan of 105 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft along with related equipment and services, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 9 July.
Tokyo, which has already ordered 42 conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A aircraft, has requested to buy 63 more units of this variant along with 42 units of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B.

FIRST OSPREYS FOR JAPAN ARRIVES IN IWAKUNI

V-22 Ospreys bound for Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) units arrive in Japan at Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, May 8, 2020. The V-22 off-load marked the first time JGSDF V-22s arrived on Japanese soil.
dvidshub

Japan reassures US on F-35 purchase despite crash

The recent crash of an F-35A stealth fighter jet will not stop Tokyo's plans to buy more of the aircraft, which is crucial to strengthening defense capabilities and maintaining a strong relationship with its ally, the U.S., Japan's defense minister said after meeting his American counterpart.
The Japanese government is positioning the mainly U.S.-developed F-35 as the backbone of its air force, replacing aging F-4s and F-15s that have become difficult to keep up to date. After its initial order of 42 F-35As, the cabinet last year approved plans to buy another 105 jets. This includes 42 F-35Bs, which are capable of vertical takeoff and landing and could be deployed from a destroyer that Japan is converting into an aircraft carrier.
nikkei

The US and Japan still can't find a missing F-35, and its 'secrets' may be in danger

The US and Japan have been conducting a tireless, around-the-clock search for a missing F-35 for a week, but so far, they have yet to recover the downed fighter or its pilot. A life is on the line, and the "secrets" of the most expensive weapon in the world are lost somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.
A Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter flown by 41-year-old Maj. Akinori Hosomi disappeared from radar last Tuesday, April 9. No distress signal was sent out as the aircraft vanished roughly 85 miles east of Misawa Air Base.
The disappearance is the first crash of the F-35A and the first time a third-party user has lost an F-35, making this a uniquely troubling situation for everyone involved.
businessinsider

Japan wants to sell old F-15s to US to fund F-35 purchases

The Japanese government is considering selling some F-15 jets to the U.S. to raise funds for purchases of cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighters, Nikkei has learned, with Washington in turn weighing the sale of those outdated planes to Southeast Asian countries.
Several Japanese officials have revealed that discussions are underway for what would be the nation's first sale of used defense equipment to the U.S. Tokyo sounded out Washington on the possibility of such a sale as part of negotiations to purchase 105 F-35 jets from the U.S. The two sides are trying to iron out such details as the number of F-15s to be sold and their prices.
By arranging such a sale with Washington, Tokyo hopes to quell public criticism of expanding defense spending amid efforts for fiscal consolidation. Turning to Washington would also help Japan, as it lacks experience in selling defense equipment to third countries.
Japan's roughly 200 F-15s form the core of the Air Self-Defense Force's air defense capabilities. About half the fleet has undergone modernizing overhauls, including updates to electronic equipment, but the 100 or so fighters being eyed for a sale are an older design that cannot receive the electronics upgrades. The government decided at a cabinet meeting last Tuesday to gradually swap these out for more capable F-35s.
nikkei

Falcon 2000MSA ready for delivery to Japan coast guard

The aircraft – the first of five for the coast guard – is developed from the Falcon 2000LX. The aircraft is due to enter service in the first half of 2019.
flightglobal

Japan to develop own fighter jet to replace F-2

The Japan's Ministry of Defense has decided to develop a new aircraft to succeed the F-2 fighter, as proposals from three American and British companies for a replacement failed to meet the ministry's costs and capability requirements.
The ministry plans to incorporate the project into the next five-year mid-term defense program to be drawn up at the end of the year, with an eye on a joint development program with foreign companies to lower the overall financial burden, which could reach trillions of yen. The ministry also hopes to pursue introducing main components such as the engine that incorporate Japan's own technology.
mainichi

China Navy Liaoning carrier group reaches initial operational capability

China’s first aircraft carrier group, formed around the carrier Liaoning , has reached initial operational capability (IOC).
The exercises conducted by the carrier group have become more demanding and “the carrier formation’s comprehensive system of offence and defence has been effectively tested”, MND spokesperson told reporters during a press conference.
Although training and developing a cadre of pilots capable of operating the carrier-borne J-15s at sea has been a dominant activity since the commissioning of Liaoning , the carrier has also completed several exercises with its escort group.
According to the state-owned China Daily newspaper, Liaoning and its escorts headed into the South China Sea after taking part in the Fleet Review on 12 April, and “conducted a series of combat training operations, practising air defence, anti-ship and anti-submarine tactics, and strikes against land targets”.
Following these exercises, the carrier and its escort group sailed east of Taiwan and into the Western Pacific where they conducted further training, which “involved sophisticated situations in the air and on the water” and tested the commanders’ ability “to make decisions when faced with complicated circumstances”.
The group was monitored at the time by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
janes

US Air Force F-22 Raptors are back at Kadena for the first time since 2014

F-22A Raptors this week returned to Kadena Air Base in Japan for the first time in more than three years, the Air Force said.
In a release, Pacific Air Forces said that the fifth-generation fighters, aircrew and support personnel were from the 525th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.
They are taking part in the theater security package program under the recently-renamed U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which is intended to “signify a continued commitment to regional stability and security.”
In a follow-up email, the 18th Wing at Kadena said that fourteen Raptors are deploying there. They will also train with local assigned units, the 18th said.
airforcetimes

Study Concludes that Japan Izumo-class Vessels able to operate F-35B

The Defense Ministry commissioned a study into the possible conversion of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Izumo helicopter carrier into a full-fledged aircraft carrier in case Japan was required to provide rear-line support for a U.S.-led war.
The ministry in April 2017 asked Japan Marine United Corp., a Tokyo-based company that built the vessel, to look into ways to improve the capabilities of the Izumo.
Japan Marine United submitted its report to the Defense Ministry in March and the ministry released details, with some bits blacked out, on April 27.
The report states that the Defense Ministry's precondition for the study was to look into how the Izumo could be used to provide rear-line support to the U.S. military.
The company was asked to provide estimates for the cost and construction schedule if changes were made to allow U.S. F-35B stealth fighter jets to land vertically on the deck and to use elevators to transport aircraft to their hangars.
asahi