English: Marine Maj. Zachary Laser, F-35 Lightning II test pilot from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three, performs a short takeoff in an F-35B aircraft during carrier qualifications aboard Japan’s Izumo-class multi-functional destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184) Oct. 21, 2024, off the southern coast of California. Laser is flying the short takeoff and vertical landing variant of the 5th generation aircraft for developmental test aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s largest ship. A flight test team from the F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force is aboard to certify the destroyer’s modifications that will support fixed-wing operations from the ship. Data that testers gather during these sea trials will be analyzed and eventually inform decisions to enhance the capabilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force as well as contribute to improved interoperability between Japan and the U.S. Japan is an F-35 Joint Program Office foreign military sales customer planning to buy 42 F-35Bs.