F-35Bs to begin trials aboard Japanese aircraft carrier JS Izumo in 2021


According to information published by NHK on July 30, 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Defense, Nobuo Kishi, said that F-35B fighter aircraft will begin trials aboard the Japanese aircraft carrier JS Izumo at the end of this year.
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Russian Vyborg Shipyard laid the Purga ice class coastguard ship of project 23550 925 001 Future JS Izumo aircraft carrier (Picture source: Reddit)


JS Izumo (DDH-183) is a helicopter carrier which, as of 2020, is being converted into a light aircraft carrier. Officially classified as a multi-purpose operation destroyer, she is the lead ship in the Izumo class of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). She is the second warship to be named for Izumo Province, with the previous ship being the armored cruiser Izumo (1898).

The F-35B Short take-off and landing for US Marine Corps is the first aircraft in history to combine stealth with short takeoff/vertical landing capability and supersonic speed. This distinction gives the F-35B the unique ability to operate from small ships, roads and austere bases.

The F-35B STOVL is powered by Rolls-Royce patented shaft-driven LiftFan® propulsion system and an engine that can swivel 90 degrees when in short takeoff/vertical landing mode. Because of the LiftFan®, the STOVL variant has a smaller internal weapon bay and less internal fuel capacity than the F-35A. It uses the probe-and-drogue method of aerial refueling.

The first UK F-35Bs are located at RAF 17 Squadron, Edwards AFB, California, where operational testing is being conducted. The Italian Air Force will also operate the F-35B.