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Japan’s First F-35B Carrier Landings Backed by UK and US Naval Aviation Experts.
According to information published by Forces News on January 21, 2025, a Royal Navy pilot has been actively assisting Japan in its transition to operating the F-35B Lightning II, providing expertise in flight testing and operational procedures to ensure the aircraft’s seamless integration into Japan’s maritime forces.
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A Royal Navy pilot supports Japan’s transition to F-35B Lightning II operations, conducting advanced flight trials to optimize carrier integration aboard the newly converted JS Kaga. (Picture source: UK MoD)
Japan has been operating the F-35A, the conventional takeoff and landing variant, for several years. However, the introduction of the F-35B represents a shift towards carrier-based air power, as the aircraft’s short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capability enables operations from smaller decks and forward-deployed bases. Unlike the F-35A, the B variant incorporates a shaft-driven lift fan behind the cockpit and a rotating rear nozzle for vertical thrust, allowing it to land and take off in confined spaces. These design modifications necessitate specialized pilot training and ship integration trials to determine the aircraft’s full operational effectiveness.
The ongoing trials include advanced deck landing procedures that are not typically associated with fixed-wing naval aviation, such as rearward landings and lateral deck approaches, which test the aircraft’s ability to operate in constrained environments. These maneuvers simulate potential real-world operational requirements, where pilots may need to adjust their landing profiles due to deck obstructions or limited available space. The trials also gather extensive flight data, including information on deck heating, jet blast effects, and aircraft handling characteristics under different sea conditions, which will inform Japan’s operational doctrine.
The transition to F-35B operations is directly linked to Japan’s decision to convert its Izumo-class multi-purpose destroyers into aircraft carriers, starting with JS Kaga. Originally designed for helicopter operations, Kaga is undergoing significant structural modifications, including flight deck reinforcement to withstand the thermal stress from the F-35B’s vertical landing exhaust, adjustments to the hull shape for improved airflow and stability, and reconfiguration of the deck layout to accommodate jet operations. Unlike traditional aircraft carriers, Kaga will lack a catapult launch system, relying instead on the STOVL capabilities of the F-35B to launch and recover aircraft.
The integration of the F-35B into Japan’s Self-Defense Forces represents a substantial investment in next-generation air power, with Japan committing to the acquisition of 42 F-35B aircraft to complement its existing fleet of F-35As. The introduction of this capability aligns with Japan’s broader defense strategy, which focuses on enhancing naval aviation capabilities amid growing regional security challenges. The F-35B’s ability to operate from smaller carriers provides Japan with a highly flexible force projection platform, bridging the gap between traditional land-based fighter operations and full-scale carrier aviation.
As part of the UK-Japan defense partnership, British F-35B pilots will conduct operations from JS Kaga later this year during the UK Carrier Strike Group’s Pacific deployment in 2025.