I want one to play
Aircraft Carriers III
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Teh arrangement could workl with the Japanese too...although it is much more likely, IMHO, that the Japanese, if they see the need, will buy the aircraft themselves.
I pedicted that the JMSDF would join the USN in FON exercises in the SCS...and here it goes.
I did not think they would send one of the Izumos...they are making a big statement by sending that vessel and its escorts there,
Problem with F-35B, AV-8B don' t have special thermal coating a bit expensive but in Asia Pacific area make sense Izumos and Canberras are later equiped with F-35B
Izumo is much more versatile than Hyuga, carry enough fuel for refuel about 2 combattants and 500 troops, Hyuga about 100 can be a true LHD in addition capable do minesweeping duty 2 MCH-101, Hyuga 1, Uraga MS/ML also 1.
Ships armed with LR SAM especialy AEGIS can provide a vey good defense and if their range is at least equal with the range of AShM on a Aircraft can't destroy him eventualy before he fired but CAP are in general more efficient than SAM for power and range despite it a flight of F-35B can't match a big Sqn or Rgt.
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Well , well well..this is a link to a great slide show of USS Carl Vinson in port in Busan ROK. The text of the pictures is an inflammatory (IMO) op-ed piece accusing the US of planning an attack on the DPRK....also referring to the ROK as a US puppet.
The Thermal coating issue is held up often but really isn't a big deal. The ship's decks could be recovered in under a month if needed, during a scheduled refit if need be. At the moment the Japanese are playing the 'Fleet in Being' game with the Chinese. Effectively they are building up a small but very modern fleet of carriers which could be quickly upgraded to operate F-35Bs if required. They are buying F-35As for their 'Air Force' (JASDF) and simulators too, which I guarantee you are capable of providing realistic basic training on the 'B' model too. At present the Japanese can maintain a 'self defence' posture as they are only getting As and the carriers are helicopter only. It takes a lot less time to buy 'Bs and upgrade the carriers than it does to build from scratch, so it 's a contingency plan at the moment, one aimed squarely at their Chinese neighbours...
Beyond that the JMSDF has some of the best AAW ships in he world. Adding F-35B to the mix would be a small step at this point, one I believe they have planned well for. They are just holding back on pulling the trigger until it's politically expedient to do so, and can comfortably sit on the moral high ground in the meantime. If the JMSDF comes up with an equivalent project to the RN's Crowsnest in the next few years. that will be a clear pointer as to which direction they are headed...
These photos are from the link above. This caption is from the US Navy;
More photos of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) & USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) in Busan ROK...03.15.2017.
ROK Harbor pilot comes aboard DDG-108..
USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) arrives in Busan ROK
A shipmate aboard USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) hoist the "Navy Jack"
ROK Harbor pilot comes aboard DDG-108..
USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) arrives in Busan ROK
A shipmate aboard USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) hoist the "Navy Jack"
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