The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) has decided that its two Izumo-class helicopter carriers will not be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp to facilitate operations of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, Janes has learnt.

Instead, each vessel will have the bow section of its flight deck, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape, similar to that found on the United States Navy’s Wasp- and America-class amphibious assault ships.

JMSDF helicopter carrier JS Izumo (shown here) is currently undergoing the first stage of conversion into an aircraft carrier capable of supporting F-35B operations. The JMSDF recently decided that neither JS Izumo nor JS Kaga will be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp but will instead have the bow section of their respective flight decks, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape. (JMSDF)

This change will enable the ship to safely operate the F-35Bs by mitigating turbulence during take-offs and enabling the aircraft to take off and land on the port side of the flight deck, maintaining a safe distance from the ship’s island, a JMSDF spokesperson told Janes on 8 October.

The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) has decided that its two Izumo-class helicopter carriers will not be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp to facilitate operations of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, Janes has learnt.

Instead, each vessel will have the bow section of its flight deck, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape, similar to that found on the United States Navy’s Wasp- and America-class amphibious assault ships.

JMSDF helicopter carrier JS Izumo (shown here) is currently undergoing the first stage of conversion into an aircraft carrier capable of supporting F-35B operations. The JMSDF recently decided that neither JS Izumo nor JS Kaga will be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp but will instead have the bow section of their respective flight decks, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape. (JMSDF)

This change will enable the ship to safely operate the F-35Bs by mitigating turbulence during take-offs and enabling the aircraft to take off and land on the port side of the flight deck, maintaining a safe distance from the ship’s island, a JMSDF spokesperson told Janes on 8 October.

The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) has decided that its two Izumo-class helicopter carriers will not be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp to facilitate operations of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, Janes has learnt.

Instead, each vessel will have the bow section of its flight deck, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape, similar to that found on the United States Navy’s Wasp- and America-class amphibious assault ships.

JMSDF helicopter carrier JS Izumo (shown here) is currently undergoing the first stage of conversion into an aircraft carrier capable of supporting F-35B operations. The JMSDF recently decided that neither JS Izumo nor JS Kaga will be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp but will instead have the bow section of their respective flight decks, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape. (JMSDF)

This change will enable the ship to safely operate the F-35Bs by mitigating turbulence during take-offs and enabling the aircraft to take off and land on the port side of the flight deck, maintaining a safe distance from the ship’s island, a JMSDF spokesperson told Janes on 8 October.

The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) has decided that its two Izumo-class helicopter carriers will not be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp to facilitate operations of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, Janes has learnt.

Instead, each vessel will have the bow section of its flight deck, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape, similar to that found on the United States Navy’s Wasp- and America-class amphibious assault ships.

JMSDF helicopter carrier JS Izumo (shown here) is currently undergoing the first stage of conversion into an aircraft carrier capable of supporting F-35B operations. The JMSDF recently decided that neither JS Izumo nor JS Kaga will be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp but will instead have the bow section of their respective flight decks, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape. (JMSDF)

This change will enable the ship to safely operate the F-35Bs by mitigating turbulence during take-offs and enabling the aircraft to take off and land on the port side of the flight deck, maintaining a safe distance from the ship’s island, a JMSDF spokesperson told Janes on 8 October.

The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) has decided that its two Izumo-class helicopter carriers will not be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp to facilitate operations of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, Janes has learnt.

Instead, each vessel will have the bow section of its flight deck, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape, similar to that found on the United States Navy’s Wasp- and America-class amphibious assault ships.

JMSDF helicopter carrier JS Izumo (shown here) is currently undergoing the first stage of conversion into an aircraft carrier capable of supporting F-35B operations. The JMSDF recently decided that neither JS Izumo nor JS Kaga will be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp but will instead have the bow section of their respective flight decks, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape. (JMSDF)

This change will enable the ship to safely operate the F-35Bs by mitigating turbulence during take-offs and enabling the aircraft to take off and land on the port side of the flight deck, maintaining a safe distance from the ship’s island, a JMSDF spokesperson told Janes on 8 October.

The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) has decided that its two Izumo-class helicopter carriers will not be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp to facilitate operations of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, Janes has learnt.

Instead, each vessel will have the bow section of its flight deck, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape, similar to that found on the United States Navy’s Wasp- and America-class amphibious assault ships.

JMSDF helicopter carrier JS Izumo (shown here) is currently undergoing the first stage of conversion into an aircraft carrier capable of supporting F-35B operations. The JMSDF recently decided that neither JS Izumo nor JS Kaga will be fitted with a ‘ski-jump’ ramp but will instead have the bow section of their respective flight decks, which is currently trapezoidal, modified into a square shape. (JMSDF)

This change will enable the ship to safely operate the F-35Bs by mitigating turbulence during take-offs and enabling the aircraft to take off and land on the port side of the flight deck, maintaining a safe distance from the ship’s island, a JMSDF spokesperson told Janes on 8 October.