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| DDH183 Izumo Helicopter Destroyer (File Photo) |
By Robert Farley
There are times at which the launch of a medium-sized, helicopter carrying sea control ship would not roil the Pacific Rim. Last week was not one of those times.
Izumo is a classic sea control Ship (PDF), designed to provide rump aviation capacity to a task force and to enhance anti-submarine capability. It should also prove an effective platform for disaster relief operations, especially given the expectation that it will operate the V-22 Osprey.
The need for Izumo is driven by the increasing size and reach of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), which taxes the fleet’s indigenous aviation capacity.
In general, regional concern about Japan’s naval aviation program focuses on offensive capability, and Izumo’s utility as an offensive platform depends on its ability to operate the F-35B. Early indications suggest that the ships structural features will limit this capacity, even assuming that Japan decides to acquire the vertical and/or short take-off and landing (VSTOL) variant of the Joint Strike Fighter. For example, the elevators on Izumo are not particularly well-suited to operating the F-35, especially at any kind of high intensity.
Read the full story at The Diplomat