The US Navy's fifth-generation F-35C Lightning II carrier-variant
joint strike fighter (JSF) has successfully completed its initial sea
trials aboard aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), off the San Diego
coast, validating its reliability and performance.
As part of the
two-week initial at-sea developmental testing I (DT-I), the aircraft
completed first-of-its-kind arrested-landing and maiden night-flight,
further complying with the requirements for the first of three at-sea
test phases scheduled for the F-35C.
US Navy test pilot lieutenant
commander Ted Dyckman said: "We had such confidence in how the plane is
flying that we lowered the weather minimums to what the fleet is
actually using, knowing that when I lower my hook and come into the
groove, I'm going to trap.
"That says a lot for the aeroplane. So,
when it came time for night traps, we said the plane is ready and we
launched it. It flew very well behind the ship."
The aircraft conducted 33 flights, featuring 124 catapults, 222
touch-and-go landings and 124 arrestments, logging 39.2 flight hours
through a redesigned tailhook.
Further assessments also included
general maintenance, fitness analysis and support equipment, in addition
to simulated maintenance operations.
The aircraft will also undergo two more sea-based assessments in 2015 and 2016, prior to initial combat deployment in 2018. Powered
by the Pratt & Whitney F-135 engine, the multirole F-35C JSF aims
to provide long-range detection and precision targeting using its
electro-optical targeting system.
