Two F-35C Lightning II carrier variants conducted their first arrested landings aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) off the coast of the eastern United States yesterday. The operations are part of the second Developmental Testing (DT II) test phase, the second of three at-sea test phases planned for the F-35C. DT-I occurred Nov. 3-14, 2014 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

“These sea trials will further expand the F-35C’s flight envelope,” said Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, F-35 Program Executive Officer (PEO). “Over the next few weeks we’ll learn more about what it takes to integrate next generation fighters aboard aircraft carriers. The testing we’re doing today will prepare us for next year’s final at-sea developmental test and keep us on track to support the Navy’s 2018 initial operational capability date.”

Two F-35Cs from the Salty Dogs of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 are conducting follow-on developmental test (DT-II) sea trials aboard the Eisenhower. Cmdr. Tony “Brick” Wilson flew aircraft 73/CF-03 (pictured above) and Lt. Chris “TJ” Karapostoles flew aircraft 75/CF-05. Photo: Andrew McMurtrie, Lockheed Martin
Two F-35Cs from the Salty Dogs of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 are conducting follow-on developmental test (DT-II) sea trials aboard the Eisenhower. Cmdr. Tony “Brick” Wilson flew aircraft 73/CF-03 (pictured above) and Lt. Chris “TJ” Karapostoles flew aircraft 75/CF-05. Photo: Andrew McMurtrie, Lockheed Martin
The F-35C will perform a variety of operational maneuvers during DT-II – including catapult takeoffs and arrested landings – while simulating maintenance operations and conducting general maintenance and fit tests for the aircraft and support equipment. Following the analysis of DT-II test data, the team will conduct a thorough assessment of the F-35C’s performance in the shipboard environment before advising the Navy on any adjustments necessary to ensure that the fifth-generation fighter is ready to meet its scheduled IOC in 2018.

Naval aircraft undergo DT-I, -II and -III test phases in order to ensure the development of aircraft that meet specifications and to identify mission critical issues sufficiently early in the test phase to deliver fully capable aircraft in time for their scheduled initial operating capability (IOC).

The F-35C is the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ carrier-suitable variant (CV) of the F-35. The aircraft introduces at-sea stealth capabilities the US Navy never had before. Other unique attributes of the new fighter offers are fused targeting and situational awareness sensors, enabling the stealth fighter to maintain ‘radar silence’ while engaging its targets. The F-35C is expected to reach Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2018.

One of two F-35C Lightning II carrier variant Joint Strike Fighters from the Pax River Integrated Test Force taking part in the Developmental Testing phase abroad the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Photo: Andy Wolfe, Lockheed Martin
One of two F-35C Lightning II carrier variant Joint Strike Fighters from the Pax River Integrated Test Force taking part in the Developmental Testing phase abroad the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Photo: Andy Wolfe, Lockheed Martin

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