Video: U.S. Navy Version of F-35 Lands on Carrier for First Time

November 3, 2014 5:22 PM - Updated: November 3, 2014 10:12 PM
US Navy F-35C Joint Strike Fighter lands for the first time on USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Nov. 3, 2014. US Navy Photo
US Navy F-35C Joint Strike Fighter lands for the first time on USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Nov. 3, 2014. US Navy Photo

The Lockheed Martin F-35C Joint Strike Fighter has made a successful trap onboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

“F-35C completes first carrier landing,” the U.S. Navy’s twitter feed announced at about 5p EST on Monday.

Two of the single-engine stealth fighter are scheduled to conduct sea trials onboard the nearly 100,000-ton warship this week to prove the jet can operate safely on the flightdeck.

The Joint Strike Fighter Program Office is deploying test aircraft CF-3 and CF-5 to the carrier. The two jets are fully instrumented and are cleared to operate with a full flight envelope. Once onboard Nimitz, the jets will be run through the gamut of carrier operations.

Earlier in the year, F-35 program manager Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan said that he had some doubts as to if the sea trials were going to be possible because of problems with the aircraft’s hook and nose landing gear. Given the rigorous testing the two jets have undergone, the situation has improved. “I feel pretty good about this now,” Bogdan said.

Dave Majumdar

Dave Majumdar

Dave Majumdar has been covering defense since 2004. He has written for Flight International, Defense News and C4ISR Journal. Majumdar studied Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary and is a student of naval history.

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