護衛艦「かが」、米戦闘機で運用試験へ　「空母化」に発着艦性能確認―海自

　海上自衛隊は１０日、ステルス戦闘機Ｆ３５Ｂの運用に向け、１０月から護衛艦「かが」が、米軍機を使った発着艦などの艦上運用試験を米国で行うと発表した。かがでＦ３５Ｂが発着艦するのは初めて。「空母化」に向け必要な１次改修を終えており、短距離発艦や格納庫から甲板への移動などを行う本格的な試験だという。海自は各種データを収集し、実際の運用に備える考えだ。
　防衛省は海洋進出を強める中国などを念頭に「広大な日本周辺の海空域の防衛には戦闘機の洋上発着艦能力が必要」として、護衛艦「いずも」と「かが」を改修。航空自衛隊が導入するＦ３５Ｂを搭載して運用できるよう準備を進めている。
　試験は１０月５日から１１月１８日の予定で、米カリフォルニア州のサンディエゴ沖で実施。米海軍と米海兵隊の協力を得て、Ｆ３５Ｂの発着艦や格納庫収容を繰り返し、所要時間や手順の確認、給油や誘導用の艦載機器が適しているかの点検などを行う。試験には空自隊員も参加する。（2024/09/10-17:28）

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force said Tuesday it will conduct this autumn aircraft takeoff and landing tests on its helicopter-carrier Kaga in the United States by using U.S. fighter jets.
   The helicopter-carrying destroyer has been undergoing work to become an aircraft carrier along with the same-class Izumo for use with F-35B stealth fighters to be adopted by the Air SDF, as part of the country's effort to strengthen defense capabilities in its surrounding airspace and seas, where China has been expanding its military presence.
   The first-stage work necessary for the transformation has already been done.
   From Oct. 5 to Nov. 18, practical F-35B operations, such as repeated short takeoffs and landings and aircraft storage at the hanger, will be tested off the coast of San Diego, California, with help from the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, the MSDF said.
   The F-35B is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings, by turning its propelling nozzles downward. In 2021, the MSDF had 2 U.S. F-35Bs take off and land on the Izumo to check the heat-proof performance of its deck after an upgrade.