F-35B (Non-US) Pocket Carriers

All this hoohaa from Japanese Press could just mean that FIRSTLY USMC F-35Bs will test out IZUMO modified for F-35B flight ops. Later (depending....) USMC may embark in a similar manner USMC F-35Bs aboard first deployment of QE 2021.

Marines Considering Flying U.S. F-35Bs Off of Japan’s Largest Warships
23 Aug 2019 Sam LaGrone

"THE PENTAGON – Officials in Tokyo have requested Marines deploy F-35B fighters aboard Japan’s largest warships, a U.S. defense official confirmed to USNI News on Friday. The service is now studying the feasibility of deploying short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) fighters from JS Izumo (DDH-183) and JS Kaga (DDH-184), Japan’s 24,000-ton big deck amphibious. [yep - not even USNInews can call these aircraft carriers 'aircraft carriers' or just (STOVL) 'carriers']…

...Prompted by the request, the Marines are now standing up groups to determine the technical feasibility of deploying U.S. F-35s from the two ships ahead of the Japanese Self-Defense Force F-35Bs being fielded. While the two ships were built with an eye toward STOVL fighter operations, the U.S. has to make an independent determination if their F-35s can operate on Izumo and Kaga.

For example, U.S. Wasp-class big deck amphibious ships have to undergo deck strengthening and have new heat resistant flight deck treatments as the Marines replace their AV-8B Harriers with F-35Bs. It’s unclear what additional work would be needed to make the two ships ready for F-35s. The Marines currently have an F-35B squadron forward-deployed to Japan — the “Green Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 that operate with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group as part of the 31st Marine Expediniaory[sic] Unit.

The Marines have charted out a similar relationship with the U.K. Royal Navy to deploy a squadron of F-35Bs from the new HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) carrier for its first deployment.…"

Source: https://news.usni.org/2019/08/23/marine ... t-warships

South Korea Moves Toward Medium-Sized Aircraft Carriers: Why?
26 Jul 2019 Robert Farley

"What’s driving Seoul to include carriers in its naval expansion plans?

Earlier this week, South Korea announced its intention to include a medium-sized aircraft carrier in its naval expansion plans. The decision to construct the ships comes at a time of high tension with Japan, and takes place more generally in context of accelerated Japanese and Chinese aircraft carrier construction. Reportedly, the ship will displace 30,000 tons, making it somewhat larger than the Japanese Izumos. Designing the ship from the keel up to operate the F-35B may also remedy the need for the compromises that required extensive refitting in the Japanese ships.

Such a vessel would lock South Korea into the acquisition of the F-35B, except in the unlikely event that South Korea developed its own advanced STOVL fighter aircraft. The ROK has already agreed to acquire the F-35A, although it has also pursued a related project for a fifth-generation fighter. There is no indication that the KFX fighter would have STOVL capabilities, however. Presumably, the construction of this carrier would put to bed rumors about refitting the Dokdo-class to operate the F-35B, a plan that would have seriously strained the smaller vessels.…

...The South Korean decision may provide additional ammunition to advocates of refitting the Canberra class amphibs (yet again based on the Spanish Juan Carlos) to carry the Joint Strike Fighter.

The timing of the announcement of the decision to build this vessel resonates uncomfortably with the renewal of tensions with Japan over World War II history, but competition with Tokyo probably remains mostly in the arena of prestige. This decision may also reflect increasing confidence that South Korea’s primary security problems do not involve North Korea. Fighters launched from carriers aren’t intrinsically worth more than fighters launched from land bases, although the presence of a carrier would complicate North Korean targeting problems. More likely, however, South Korea envisions using the ship in a blue water role, contributing to multi-national military and humanitarian operations, and safeguarding ROK interests in the distant abroad.

Whether this spurs additional construction on the part of Japan is an open, interesting question. Notwithstanding the diplomatic irritation that has resurfaced over the past months, Japan does not seem to regard South Korea as a meaningful security threat, or as a competitor for prestige. If happier relations return, the two navies could share lessons learned, and perhaps even act in concert to manage regional security affairs."

Source: https://thediplomat.com/2019/07/south-k ... riers-why/

Word on the street: "Izumo/Kaga modification for F-35B costs" [total both]

"Refit costs announced today - 3.1 billion yet (just south of USD 300 million)." [i.e. 150 mirron US dorrar each]

More woids more believable perhaps however that depends on what is accounted for & when. More detail would be nice.

Here’s what Japan’s Defense Ministry wants to do with $50.5 billion
30 Aug 2019 Mike Yeo

"...The ministry’s request includes $1.08 billion for F-35s, which is made up of $291.3 million for three conventional takeoff and landing F-35As and $795.3m for six F-35Bs. These will be Japan’s first F-35Bs, and it’s expected the country will eventually order 42 "B" models, of which 18 will be acquired over the next five years, according to Japan’s Mid-Term Defense Plan released late last year. It also has plans to eventually operate 105 F-35As.

The F-35Bs are to be operated from two Izumo-class helicopter destroyers. Japan announced last year plans to convert both ships, which are currently designed to operate helicopters, to be able to handle F-35Bs. Notably, the budget request asks for $29.1 million for “partial refurbishment” to enable F-35B operations.

According to other reports, modifications for the ships include improvements to the heat resistance of their flight decks as well as the installation of additional lighting for aircraft operations. Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya added that F-35B deck trials could be conducted with U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs based in Japan following the modification work.... [why not have VX-23/ITF F-35Bs do the trial work on the modified Izumo Class?]

...Japan’s next fiscal year begins April 1, 2020. The budget request is not necessarily the actual amount that will be allocated by the Finance Ministry." [shades of the US wonky system]

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia ... 5-billion/

So cheap. It makes you wonder if they weren't designed, at least partially, with this contingency in mind.

So cheap. It makes you wonder if they weren't designed, at least partially, with this contingency in mind.

The Japanese Government/Defence Forces have admitted the IZUMO Class were designed with STOVL in mind/future use.

Go here for ShinBum: viewtopic.php?f=58&t=24808&p=406505&hilit=Izumo+Shimbun%27s#p406505

Another LHA/LHD comparo graphic via e-mail....

Hyundai to design F-35B-capable amphibious assault ship for ROK Navy
16 Oct 2019 Naval Today

"South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries has received a contract to design the Republic of Korea Navy’s next-generation amphibious assault ship that would be capable of supporting short-takeoff and vertical landing fighter jet operations....

...According to a report from Yonhap, Hyundai is to deliver a conceptual design for a “large-deck” landing ship before exact specifications and technologies are determined. The work is to be completed by the second half of 2020.

In September 2018, Republic of Korea Marine Corps Chief, Lt. Gen. Jun Jin-goo, said the service was “considering building a LPX (large platform experimental)-type ship capable of carrying aircraft in close cooperation with the navy”.

The ship, which is planned to be put in service in the 2030s, will most likely operate the Lockheed Martin-built F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing version of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The country has a total of 40 F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing variant) aircraft on order under a contract from 2014...."

Source: https://navaltoday.com/2019/10/16/hyund ... -rok-navy/

Via e-mail however I guess the SPANITH article could be google transrated if needs be - needs must - whatever.

"The elevators,the hangars ... everything was designed in the" Juan Carlos I " counting on that in the future he would embark the F-35”
22 Oct 2019 Julio Maíz Sanz

[interview with current CO Juan Carlos I]
"...Q: Is there any prospect of inter-operating with the aircraft carriers of the US Navy or the new Queen Elizabeth of the Royal Navy?
A: Since a few years ago, Spain formed part of the ECGII (European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative). The aim of this initiative is to bring together techniques, procedures for action on aircraft carriers. This type of activity is at the planning level of the Navy General Staff. If it is true that it would be very interesting to inter-operate with some other aircraft carrier since it would give us the opportunity to contrast performance methods, and a lot of experience as many of them start working with the VSTOL (Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing) Lockheed Martin F-35B.

Q: Would the ship be fully prepared to operate on F-35B?
A: The ship was designed expecting that the only relief possible in the current AV8B+ is the F-35B. The elevators, hangars... everything is designed with that in the future, the F-35 embark on board. Some modification would have to be made in the painting of the flight deck, but practically the ship is generally ready to operate with this aircraft...."

Source: https://www.defensa.com/espana/ascensor ... -futuro-f/

Reading around and saw that the Leonardo Osprey radar on the MQ-8C has air to air modes. I guess the air to air modes can be optimised, giving Lightning carriers a low budget high tech readiness long endurance AWACs capability.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... -h-459525/

https://www.leonardocompany.com/documen ... 8987852890

Very interesting indeed......

Projecting power with the F-35 (part 1): How far can it go?

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/proje ... can-it-go/

Projecting power with the F-35 (part 2): going further

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/proje ... g-further/

Projecting power with the F-35 (part 3): operational implications

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/proje ... lications/

Projecting power with the F-35 (part 4): offshore bases

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/proje ... ore-bases/

Projecting power with the F-35 (part 5): Can a B set you free?

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/proje ... -you-free/

Izumo upgrade and planned space unit to further boost Japanese Defense Ministry budget
19 Nov 2019 JIJI

"As part of what is likely to be a record-setting defense budget, the Defense Ministry will begin upgrading the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Izumo helicopter carrier next year to enable it to carry fighter jets.

The upgrade is in line with the National Defense Guidelines and the Medium-Term Defense Program for fiscal 2019 to 2023, which was adopted by the government in late 2018 and includes the plans to remodel the Izumo so that it can carry U.S.-made, state-of-the-art F-35B stealth fighters, becoming a de facto aircraft carrier.

The work is primarily aimed at reinforcing the heat resistance of the Izumo’s deck for landings and takeoffs by F-35B jets and is due to start in late fiscal 2019, which ends in March 2020, for completion during fiscal 2021.

For fiscal 2020, the ministry has requested a record budget of ¥5.32 trillion, marking the seventh consecutive year the budget request has increased. The sum includes ¥84.6 billion for purchasing six F-35Bs.

The MSDF will initially use F-35Bs from the U.S. Marine Corps to train Izumo crew members, as the delivery of the six fighters is not expected to start before fiscal 2024…."

Source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/ ... dcbB-R7lm9

via E-mail CAVOUR c.Oct 2109 during F-35B refit - new gun in front.

10 Nov 2019 "...Similar flight operations with the use of the ski-jump will be conducted in future by the Italian Navy F-35Bs aboard the Cavour aircraft carrier, which is undergoing an extensive overhaul and receiving upgrades that will allow it to operate with the F-35B. The ship is expected to deploy to the US East Coast in 2020 to perform a test campaign similar to the British Westlant 19." https://theaviationist.com/2019/11/10/c ... elizabeth/

NO JPALS But F-35s mentioned so story is SPAZzed here:

JSF landing system delivered to Italian Navy in record time
05 Mar 2020 Christine Trent NAWCAD Webster Outlying Field

"Rapid engineering techniques by NAWCAD Webster Outlying Field (WOLF)’s Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems (ATC&LS) division recently delivered the AN/SPN-41B Instrument Carrier Landing System years ahead of schedule to the Italian Navy for its Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

Two years ago, the Italian Navy approached NAWCAD WOLF requesting the AN/SPN-41B, a Instrument Carrier Landing System that provides shipboard guidance information to Navy and Marine Corps aircraft. The system was needed as a replacement to a previous system aboard its aircraft carrier, ITS Cavour (CVH-550). Funding arrived from the Italians in fall 2019 along with its request for delivery in early 2020.

“We planned out the project and provided a timeline of 22 months upon receipt of funding,” said Barrett Straub, lead project engineer and head of the ATC&LS division. “The Italians gave us initial funding in September 2019 and requested delivery in early 2020, merely months later! It was an interesting challenge for us to figure out how to make it happen for the customer.”

Determined to deliver ahead of schedule, the engineering team cannibalized another asset, allowing the team to work around the procurement of parts with long lead times. The engineering techniques ensured WOLF delivered the landing system five days earlier than the previously reduced schedule from almost two years to five months.

The effort was collaborative with PMA-213 leadership’s critical help with Italian Navy coordination as well as AN/SPN-41B project schedule realignment. NAWCAD’s ATC Landing Systems Flight Test branch was also crucial in getting the test flight scheduled and completed. Additionally, WOLF’s team worked closely with its industry partners — BAE Systems, Amelex, Inc., and SAIC—to ensure the work was completed in time.

“Without the help and accommodation of government and industry partners, the project couldn’t have been completed,” said Larry Whites, ATC&LS division director. “Webster Field is NAWCAD’s organic Lead Systems Integrator (oLSI). Seamless partnering is a critical component of successful oLSI, a fact confirmed through this project’s completion in record time, all while the schedule for U.S. builds was not impacted.”

The team will support Cavour’s installation of AN/SPN-41B in March, and perform the Precision Aircraft Landing System certification in September...."

Source: https://www.dcmilitary.com/tester/news/ ... 4b298.html

NAWCAD also completed a maintenance training course on the landing aid. One Italian and 2 additional UK personnel went through it.