Ｆ３５Ｂ、「いずも」で発着成功　防衛省、四国沖で試験

　岸信夫防衛相は５日の記者会見で、米軍の最新鋭ステルス戦闘機Ｆ３５Ｂによる海上自衛隊の護衛艦「いずも」艦上での発着試験に成功したと発表した。岸氏は「日米の相互運用性の向上に資するものであり、日米同盟の抑止力・対処力の強化にもつながる」と意義を強調した。
　試験は米軍岩国基地（山口県）の海兵隊の支援を受け、３日に四国沖で実施した。Ｆ３５Ｂは短距離離陸・垂直着陸が可能で、防衛省は２０２３年度までに１８機の購入について契約し、２４年度から基地に順次配備する予定だ。
　いずもは甲板の耐熱性を向上させる改修を６月に完了。２４年度末にも艦首の形状を変更したりＦ３５Ｂ搭乗員の待機スペースを整備したりする改修を予定している。いずもと同型の護衛艦「かが」も同様の改修を行い、両艦は事実上の空母となる見通しだ。（2021/10/05-19:25）

State-of-the-art F-35B stealth fighters of the U.S. military successfully made test landings on and takeoffs from the destroyer Izumo of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said Tuesday.
   The successful test landings and takeoffs "will lead to an improvement of interoperability between Japan and the United States and also a boost in the deterrent and coping capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance," Kishi stressed at a press conference.
   The test was held off the coast of the western Japan region of Shikoku on Sunday, with the support of U.S. Marines stationed at the Iwakuni air base in the western prefecture of Yamaguchi.
   The Japanese ministry has signed a contract to purchase 18 F-35B jets, which are capable of short takeoff and vertical landing, by the end of fiscal 2023. It plans to gradually deploy the aircraft at bases in the country from fiscal 2024.
   The Izumo underwent a revamp to improve the heat resistance of its deck by June this year.