F-35B Begins Historic Sea Trials on Japan's JS Kaga in Pacific.

According to information published by the US DoD on October 21, 2024, a US F-35B Lightning II aircraft has initiated sea trials aboard the Japanese multi-functional destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184) in the Eastern Pacific.
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Japanese Izumo-class aircraft carrier JS Kaga. (Picture source: US DoD)

The aircraft, a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23), landed on the Kaga’s flight deck on October 20, off the coast of southern California. This milestone represents the first time an F-35B has operated from the Japanese vessel.

The trials are part of ongoing efforts to test the integration of the F-35B with Japan's Izumo-class ships, which have undergone extensive modifications to support fixed-wing aircraft operations. Among the key changes made to the JS Kaga are a heat-resistant coating on the flight deck, designed to withstand the extreme temperatures from the F-35B’s vectored thrust engines, the installation of specialized lighting systems to support nighttime operations, and a reshaped bow for improved aircraft maneuverability on deck.

The trials are scheduled to last for approximately three weeks, during which the test team will assess the performance of the F-35B under various operational conditions. The deployment of the Kaga began in early September from its homeport in Kure, Japan.

Technical data

The JS Kaga is a Japanese helicopter carrier with a displacement of 19,500 long tons when empty and up to 27,000 long tons at full load. It has a length of 248 meters, a beam of 38 meters, and a draft of 7.5 meters. Propulsion is provided by a combined gas and gas (COGAG) system, using two shafts driven by four GE/IHI LM2500IEC gas turbines, allowing the ship to exceed speeds of 30 knots.

The vessel is equipped with advanced sensor and processing systems, including the OYQ-12 combat direction system, FCS-3 fire control system, OPS-50 AESA radar, OPS-28 surface-search radar, and OQQ-23 bow sonar. Its electronic warfare capabilities are bolstered by the NOLQ-3D-1 electronic warfare suite, Mark 36 SRBOC decoy launchers, an anti-torpedo mobile decoy system, and a floating acoustic jammer (FAJ).

For defense, the Kaga is armed with two Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) and two SeaRAM CIWS. The ship can carry up to seven anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters, two search and rescue (SAR) helicopters, and a maximum of 28 aircraft overall.

Background

These trials symbolize Japan's progress toward developing a fully operational aircraft carrier capability. While the Izumo-class vessels were initially built as helicopter carriers, their conversion to support F-35B operations marks a transformation into light aircraft carriers.

This change significantly enhances Japan’s ability to project power, particularly in defending its vast maritime zones, including contested areas like the East China Sea and the Senkaku Islands. By 2027, both JS Izumo and JS Kaga are expected to fully operate F-35Bs, integrating Japan into the modern realm of carrier-based fixed-wing aviation for the first time since World War II.