WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy completed its first arrested landing of an F-35C Lightning II carrier variant onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, part of the craft's two-week testing phase.
With these tests, the U.S. Navy aims to observe the suitability and integration of the fighter on a sea platform. Currently, the F-35C Lightning II is in the second phase of its at-sea Developmental Testing. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower ("Ike") crew teamed up with the Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (ITF) to perform the tests.
The F-35C will continue to be tested, and is scheduled to perform more operational maneuvers while also simulating maintenance operations. The performance data will be cataloged by the ITF, and presented to U.S. Navy officials on what changes to the program may be necessary.
"The goal of this test phase is to find out how we can expand the envelope in which this aircraft works in an effective and safe fashion," said Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 Navy test pilot Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Kitts in a statement. "We have a huge team working on this, and I know that each time I get in this aircraft it's the culmination of a lot of people's hard work."
The F-35C joint strike fighter's development has been highly anticipated by U.S. military officials. The fifth generation multi-role fighter has been in development for 14 years. The fighter, developed by arms manufacturing giant Lockheed Martin, has only achieved operational status with the U.S. Marine Corps.
Despite the developmental setbacks, the company and several top U.S. officials remain confident the craft will be able to outmatch any other fighter in development today, according to Lockheed Martin.
