STOBAR demands aircraft light enough for short takeoff and strong enough for arrested recovery, creating conflicting design pressures. It also offers less payload freedom than catapult operations. With few compatible aircraft designed outside Russia, Japan would face costly bespoke development or adaptation; putting an arresting hook into an F-35B would require meaningful airframe redesign. Short takeoff and rolling landing with F-35Bs is therefore the more practical middle ground.
Notable Point · 48:32-51:18
Why STOBAR is an awkward compromise for Japan
Short takeoff and arrested recovery impose conflicting weight and structural demands on the aircraft a Japanese carrier could operate.