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2023-04-22 China-Japan-Koreas

Japan's Converted F-35B Carrier Leaves Dock Sporting New Bow

[The War Zone] New images show the heavily modified bow of Japan’s Izumo class JS Kaga (DDH-184) ’helicopter-carrying destroyer’ as the vessel left its dock recently. Kaga is currently being turned into an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter carrier for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Photos of the vessel pulling away from its dock in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture accompanied by various tugboats began circulating online around April 19. According to Naval News, the first set of modifications to Kaga (originally slated to end in March) included changing the shape of the vessel's bow section and applying a heat-resistant coating to its deck. The next set of modifications, which will involve re-balancing and structurally reinforcing Kaga's hull, are expected to be completed by March 2024.

Overall, work on turning Kaga into an F-35B carrier is expected to continue until early 2027, USNI News states. JS Kaga was originally launched in 2015 and commissioned in 2017.

Posted by Besoeker 2023-04-22 02:06|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [11163 views ] Top

#1 "...Can you say 'Kido Butai', boys and girls? Sure you can."

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2023-04-22 06:54|| 2023-04-22 06:54|| Front Page Top

#2 'Kido Butai'

The 1st Air Fleet, also known as the Kidō Butai ("Mobile Force"), was a name used for a combined carrier battle group comprising most of the aircraft carriers and carrier air groups of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the first eight months of the Pacific War.

Posted by Skidmark 2023-04-22 08:12|| 2023-04-22 08:12|| Front Page Top

#3 It sounds as if they will be able to launch and land a F-35B. I suppose that is useful. I didn’t see anywhere in the article about housing a squadron.

Posted by Super Hose 2023-04-22 08:55|| 2023-04-22 08:55|| Front Page Top

#4 I didn’t see anywhere in the article about housing a squadron.

Originally it was going to be a helicopter carrier. Japan later inked a deal with the US to buy a wing of F-35Bs later this year or next to be on the carrier.

Posted by DarthVader 2023-04-22 10:31|| 2023-04-22 10:31|| Front Page Top

#5 Capacity is somewhere between 14 'larger aircraft only' and 28 total 'aircraft' on the JSKaga (DDH-184) .

Posted by magpie 2023-04-22 10:57|| 2023-04-22 10:57|| Front Page Top

#6 ...So with a maximum of 14 'larger aircraft" filling the ship then ...10-12 F-25Bs and some utility helicopters?

Posted by magpie 2023-04-22 10:59|| 2023-04-22 10:59|| Front Page Top

#7 /\ F-35Bs....

Posted by magpie 2023-04-22 11:00|| 2023-04-22 11:00|| Front Page Top

#8 Since Japan will doubling defense spending, expect to see full size aircraft carriers soon.

Posted by Helmuth, Speaking for Sholugum453 2023-04-22 11:31|| 2023-04-22 11:31|| Front Page Top

#9 Flying Japanese Aircraft Carriers

Posted by Frank G 2023-04-22 12:17|| 2023-04-22 12:17|| Front Page Top

#10 The Gundam Class Aircraft Carrier.

Posted by swksvolFF 2023-04-22 12:26|| 2023-04-22 12:26|| Front Page Top

#11 THAT, my friends, would be wonderful.

Posted by Skidmark 2023-04-22 19:30|| 2023-04-22 19:30|| Front Page Top

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