護衛艦「かが」にＦ３５Ｂ初着艦　「空母化」へ運用試験―海自

　海上自衛隊は２１日、「空母化」に向けた運用試験を行っている護衛艦「かが」で、米軍のＦ３５Ｂ戦闘機による着艦テストが成功したと明らかにした。運用試験は１１月１８日までで、引き続き短距離発艦やエレベーターによる格納庫への収納などの試験を行う。
　海自によると、太平洋の米サンディエゴ沖で２１日午前（現地時間２０日午後）、かがの飛行甲板に米軍のＦ３５Ｂ１機が初めて着艦した。ジェットエンジンの排気口を下に向けて垂直着陸させ、甲板の耐熱化に問題ないことを確認したという。（2024/10/21-18:19）

A U.S. F-35B fighter jet has successfully landed on the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kaga for the first time, the MSDF said Monday.
   The F-35B landed on the flight deck of the Kaga in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego on Sunday afternoon local time. The MSDF said it confirmed that there was no problem with the deck's heat resistance after the fighter made a vertical landing with its engine's exhaust port facing down on the deck.
   The landing came as part of test operations set to be held through Nov. 18 to upgrade the destroyer to an aircraft carrier. Short takeoffs and aircraft storage at the hanger will be tested later.
   The Japanese Defense Ministry plans to renovate the Kaga and another destroyer, the Izumo, to accommodate F-35Bs as part of efforts to enhance deterrence against China.
   The Kaga has been undergoing operational tests in the United States since Oct. 5 after completing a large-scale remodeling, including of the shape of its bow.