Japan Sent Its 'Aircraft Carrier' Armed with F-35 to America for War Training

https://nationalinterest.org ^ | October 10, 2024 | Peter Suciu

[Enterprise]

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's helicopter destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184) arrived in San Diego shrouded in dense fog, marking the start of F-35B Lightning II training operations with the U.S. Navy.

What You Need to Know: The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's helicopter destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184) arrived in San Diego shrouded in dense fog, marking the start of F-35B Lightning II training operations with the U.S. Navy.

The vessel will undergo assessments to optimize operations of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) fifth-generation fighter, with tests running until November 18, 2024. This is Kaga's first deployment since modifications to operate F-35Bs, including a redesigned bow akin to U.S. amphibious assault ships.

Despite not officially labeling it an aircraft carrier due to pacifist constitutional policies, Japan's upgraded Kaga enhances its air capabilities in the contested East China Sea, drawing criticism from Beijing.

[Enterprise]

Thank you for your helpful and knowledgeable post. Much appreciated!

[WKUHilltopper]

Maybe they’ll bring back the Yamato!

[maddog55]

The F-35 isn’t really a fighter either with its 50% or less FMC capability.

[Enterprise]

Battleships were awesome. But their time has passed and we won't see them on the seas in combat any more.

You've probably read this account, but it's worth telling again.

In WWII there was a Panzer column waiting for orders to advance during the Normandy invasion. The Panzer commander knew that the USS Texas was offshore, but it couldn't get closer because it might go aground. So the commander knew he was out of range of the Texas.

The Captain of the Texas said to flood the tanks and give him 3 degrees of elevation. When that was done he fired the guns of the Texas and the Panzer column was turned into scrap metal.

[Paal Gulli]

The US is just about the only country in the world still using full fledged, WWII-style aircraft carriers. Most everybody else us using jump jet carriers or flying STOL jets from short-desk carriers.

Then again, the US has the only carriers that can execute four launches simultaneously. Most of the rest only can do two or even just one.

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

WWII carriers didnt have catapults and where smaller than pretty much every carrier today.

[MIA_eccl1212]

Thanks Gator!!

Thought that might be so.

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

Also, The De Gaulle has catapults.

[linMcHlp]

Practice Practice Practice - Fire Fighting

[Enterprise]

It has to be an awesome sight when everything is operating at once. And dangerous as hell!

[RitchieAprile]

He was Ozeki once and may be again..

[jmacusa]

Holy Smokes you’re right. Wow. I wonder if any of those Japanese sailors had a grandfather or more probably a great-grandfather who was on the Kaga in 1942.

[Svartalfiar]

The US is just about the only country in the world still using full fledged, WWII-style aircraft carriers. Most everybody else us using jump jet carriers or flying STOL jets from short-desk carriers.

Then again, the US has the only carriers that can execute four launches simultaneously. Most of the rest only can do two or even just one.

Four vs two/one simultaneous launches doesn't mean anything. The factor that matters is we can launch aircraft fully fuelled with a full payload. Ski-jump and v/stol aircraft generally have to launch with half their missiles on a half-empty tank. Or are just designed with half the range to start.