Despite the so-called 2013 sequester, which is just a big humbug as far as the US military is concerned, the US Navy

has been furiously and very busily testing its F-35B fighter in order to fulfil or meet the request demanded by the Pentagon that the aircraft be ready for deployment to southern Japan (and possibly South Korea as well) by late 2015. Japan has signalled that it wants to buy the F-35 fighter though which model it desires is still unclear. According to Lockheed the manufacturer the jet can be flown pilotless. This is a boon for the Jap forces as they can use such pilotless jets to harass its PLAAF rival in the east China Sea. The presence of F-35B jets in southern Japan and Korea will very greatly help to heighten confrontation and stoke flames of war and hatred in east Asia. This is because these jets can be carried by Jap destroyers as well as US amphibious assault ships that normally carry helicopters. Such vessels, unlike large nuclear carriers, can sail or creep very close to hostile waters while claiming to do rescue work. For several weeks in August 2013, the US Navy carried out flight tests of the F-35B on one of its carriers including tests carried out at night. Although the jet has been severely lambasted by critics, it is still a very useful tool for intimidating rivals and adversaries. The F-35 jets superb stealth qualities which belong to what the USAF defines as fourth-gen stealth when coupled with its (B version) STOVL capability will allow the plane to pose a very big headache or threat to countries that do not want to be disturbed or harassed, challenged or threatened. Beware !