The American V-22 Osprey convertible landed on a helicopter carrier for the first time in history
Last week, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces celebrated a historic event. An American convertible landed on a helicopter carrier for the first time.
A V-22 Osprey helicopter belonging to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces has landed on the deck of the helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182). Typically, Mitsubishi SH-60K helicopters are deployed on board an anti-submarine ship.
Japan’s Ministry of Self-Defense conducted an exercise to improve interoperability between ground forces and naval forces. This will allow Japan to better respond to any emerging situations.
The Land of the Rising Sun wants to create an Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade. It will be formed similarly to the US Marine Corps, and its main task will be to protect the islands of the Nansei archipelago, which are scattered over a length of about 1200 km.
Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Forces ordered 17 American convertibles. Deliveries of the V-22 Osprey began in mid-summer 2020. Currently, all the convertibles are temporarily stationed in Tiba Prefecture.
Japan intends to deploy the V-22 Osprey at the airport on the island of Kyushu, where the infrastructure is being prepared. About five dozen helicopters will be deployed there, including Boeing AH-64D Apache and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.
