Credit: Shutterstock photoJapan and South Korea are considering adding the short takeoff/vertical landing variant of Lockheed Martin 's ( LMT ) F-35 to their fleets, according to reports, potentially allowing the U.S. allies to project power farther as regional tensions heat up.
[ibd-display-video id=2326967 width=50 float=left autostart=true] Both countries are already buying scores of the conventional-takeoff version, the F-35A, but having the F-35B in their arsenals would enable them to deploy the stealth fighters from ships, not just from land bases.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency said military officials are looking at the F-35B for its Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships. Seoul already has one of the 14,300-ton, 653-foot ships and a second is scheduled for deployment in 2020, according to Military.com .
Meanwhile, Japan is mulling the F-35B for use on its helicopter carriers as it looks to defend its smaller islands against China's growing maritime presence, government sources told The Japan Times .
The U.S. Marines approved the F-35B for combat in 2015, and a squadron is deployed in Japan. The U.K. and Italian air forces will also operate the F-35B.
Lockheed shares were up 0.8% at 322.10 on the stock market today , just below a 322.29 buy point. Northrop Grumman ( NOC ), a key subcontractor on the program, rose 0.7%, and United Technologies ( UTX ), which makes engines for the F-35, added 0.4%.
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The F-35Bs would complement the significant commitments from the two countries. South Korea has ordered 40 F-35As and earlier this month announced plans to buy 20 more, while Japan has ordered 42 F-35As.
Interest in additional stealth fighters comes as North Korea has made rapid progress on its nuclear and missile programs.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., said last month that it's possible for the F-35 to shoot down nuclear missiles from North Korea or Iran with its Raytheon ( RTN ) AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles just seconds after takeoff.
Boeing 's ( BA ) F-15 could also be used if it had the right sensors but the stealthy fifth-generation F-35 already has key sensors installed, Aviation Week noted in a report earlier this month.
In particular, Northrop has developed the F-35's infrared AN/AAQ-37 sensors that serve as an aircraft and missile warning system and the jet's fire control radar. The company has been testing the sensors on ballistic missiles for several years, according to the report.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
