Japan mulls F-35B for helicopter carriers
In early March the USMC commenced shipborne training of Lockheed Martin F-35B fighters aboard USS Wasp, and Japan is one country particularly keen to observe the aircraft type’s performance as it contemplates its own future military requirements.
The Japanese MoD is seriously considering procuring F-35Bs capable of short take-offs and vertical landings (STOVL), since these would offer considerable benefits in terms of being able to operate in such places as the nation’s southwestern islands where only short runways are available, or where facilities might be damaged in any confrontation with China.
Fighters such as the F-15J need a runway
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