A test session aboard USS America for twelve F-35Bs from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 and from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One. These aircraft were joined by two MV-22B Osprey, a UH-1Y Venom and a Viper AH-1Z.
Prior to these tests, the maximum number of F-35Bs on board a ship was six.
The recently concluded and scheduled tests serve to explore the best way to integrate the broader F-35B package into the current Navy-Marine Corps structure in order to maximize force projection from the sea and consolidate procedures between the Navy and Corps. of the Marines.
From the end of October until November 17, 2016, during the Development Test (DT-III) the F-35B experienced take-offs and landings in extreme sea and wind operating and environmental conditions.
The objectives achieved in the DT-III
* First integration of ALIS SOU version 2 on board a ship
* First use of an R&J engine and fan aboard an L-Class ship
* First operations with on-board ordnance on a ship
* First F-35B integration with AEGIS (integrated combat system for US naval units, ed)
* First integration with MV-22B Osprey (2), a UH-1Y Venom and a Viper AH-1Z on board a ship
* First use of an F35B equipped with Block 3F software at sea
(images: USMC / Lockheed Martin)
