First Ever Landing Conducted Aboard Japanese Ship Izumo

Japanese Ship Izumo (JS Izumo) went through a series of upgrades and transitions to insure the vessel had the capacity to conduct short take-offs and vertical landings (STOVL). Once it was deemed so, an attempt to establish the safety of those measures was made on October 3.

Working in collaboration with the U.S. Marines, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Marine Fighter Attack Sqadron (VMFA) 242 attempted and successfully accomplished the take-off and landing of two F-35B Lightning II aircrafts, the first attempt ever of its kind aboard the JS Izumo.

A representative of JMSDF stated, “This trial has proved that the JS Izumo has the capability to support takeoffs and landings of STOVL aircraft at sea, which will allow us to provide an additional option for air defense in the Pacific Ocean in the near future.”