Last month two VX-23 F-35C Lightning IIs successfully completed a first round of developmental testing (DT) three days ahead of schedule aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), according to NAVAIR public affairs. The two aircraft made 124 arrested landings, 124 catapult launches, 222 planned touch-and-go landings, two long touch and go landings, and zero bolters aboard the Nimitz, performing beyond expectations. Four test pilots completed carrier qualifications, and issues with the arresting hook seem to have been solved. The aircraft also performed a night launch, touch and goes, and a night arrestment. It’s nice to see a new Navy aircraft carrying out flight operations aboard a carrier, and a welcome change, so we’ve put together this gallery of our favorite photos from the testing period.
F-35C Sea Trials Aboard USS Nimitz | Photos
An F-35C Lightning II of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) approaches the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) for an arrested landing. Two joint strike fighters conducted developmental testing aboard Nimitz. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe
A VX-23 Landing Signal Officer (LSO) watches as an F-35C makes an arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). "The engineers responsible for the aircraft's control laws at Pax (Patuxent) River and Fort Worth have done a phenomenal job designing a carefree aircraft from the pilot's perspective," said Cmdr. Tony Wilson, DT I Team Lead in a Navy release. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe
An F-35C lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The two joint strike fighters from the Patuxent River Integrated Test Force concluded at-sea developmental testing three days early. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aiyana S. Paschal
An F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighter successfully traps aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Navy said nearly every landing caught a three wire. Early problems with the arresting hook appear to have been solved. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Alexander H. Groves
One of two F-35C Lightning IIs of VX-23 conducting developmental testing approaches the Nimitz. "The F-35C's performance on the ball was revolutionary, providing carefree handling on approach. The Integrated Direct Lift Control (IDLC) allows ball control like no other aircraft. The control schemes of the F-35C provide a tool for the below average ball flyer to compete for top hook," said Cmdr. Tony Wilson, DT I Team Lead, in a Navy release. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe
An F-35C Lightning II carrier variant about to make an arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Pilots and LSOs said the aircraft were relatively easy to land aboard the carrier during 124 successful arrested landings. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe
An F-35C of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) performs a touch and go aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe
An F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighter makes an arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The F-35C has larger wings and tail surfaces than the F-35A and F-35B variants. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Alexander H. Groves
An F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighter lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The exceptionally smooth testing aboard Nimitz was a welcome bright spot in a sometime troubled program. U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brett Cote
An F-35C conducts a touch and go landing aboard Nimitz. There were zero unintentional hook-down bolters, or missed attempts to catch an arresting wire on the flight deck during the testing. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Eli K. Buguey
Lt. Jonathan Norris, from San Marcos, Texas, observes flight operations as an F-35C makes an arrested landing aboard the Nimitz. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Huey D. Younger Jr.
The shape of things to come, two F-35Cs are secured on the flight deck after conducting arrested landings aboard the Nimitz. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Antonio P. Turretto Ramos
A Lightning II moves onto the catapult aboard Nimitz. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe
An F-35C is lined up on the catapult track. The carrier variant F-35C also differs from the F-35A and F-35B in having beefier landing gear, including twin-wheel nosegear with a catapult launch bar. U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brett Cote
A VX-23 F-35C completes its first carrier launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Nov. 4, 2014. The F-35 Lightning II Pax River Integrated Test Force made 124 catapult launches during the initial at-sea trials aboard Nimitz. U.S. Navy photo
The U.S. Navy's newest fighter launches from the deck of its oldest aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) distinguished by her gold-painted anchor. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy M. Ahearn
Two F-35Cs conduct the first catapult launches aboard USS Nimitz in what promises to become a familiar scene on Navy carrier decks in the future. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Dane Wiedmann
A VX-23 Landing Signal Officer (LSO) watches as an F-35C makes an arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). "The engineers responsible for the aircraft's control laws at Pax (Patuxent) River and Fort Worth have done a phenomenal job designing a carefree aircraft from the pilot's perspective," said Cmdr. Tony Wilson, DT I Team Lead in a Navy release. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe
An F-35C lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The two joint strike fighters from the Patuxent River Integrated Test Force concluded at-sea developmental testing three days early. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aiyana S. Paschal
An F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighter successfully traps aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Navy said nearly every landing caught a three wire. Early problems with the arresting hook appear to have been solved. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Alexander H. Groves
One of two F-35C Lightning IIs of VX-23 conducting developmental testing approaches the Nimitz. "The F-35C's performance on the ball was revolutionary, providing carefree handling on approach. The Integrated Direct Lift Control (IDLC) allows ball control like no other aircraft. The control schemes of the F-35C provide a tool for the below average ball flyer to compete for top hook," said Cmdr. Tony Wilson, DT I Team Lead, in a Navy release. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe
An F-35C Lightning II carrier variant about to make an arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Pilots and LSOs said the aircraft were relatively easy to land aboard the carrier during 124 successful arrested landings. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe
An F-35C of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) performs a touch and go aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe
An F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighter makes an arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The F-35C has larger wings and tail surfaces than the F-35A and F-35B variants. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Alexander H. Groves
An F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighter lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The exceptionally smooth testing aboard Nimitz was a welcome bright spot in a sometime troubled program. U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brett Cote
An F-35C conducts a touch and go landing aboard Nimitz. There were zero unintentional hook-down bolters, or missed attempts to catch an arresting wire on the flight deck during the testing. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Eli K. Buguey
Lt. Jonathan Norris, from San Marcos, Texas, observes flight operations as an F-35C makes an arrested landing aboard the Nimitz. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Huey D. Younger Jr.
The shape of things to come, two F-35Cs are secured on the flight deck after conducting arrested landings aboard the Nimitz. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Antonio P. Turretto Ramos
A Lightning II moves onto the catapult aboard Nimitz. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe
An F-35C is lined up on the catapult track. The carrier variant F-35C also differs from the F-35A and F-35B in having beefier landing gear, including twin-wheel nosegear with a catapult launch bar. U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brett Cote
A VX-23 F-35C completes its first carrier launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Nov. 4, 2014. The F-35 Lightning II Pax River Integrated Test Force made 124 catapult launches during the initial at-sea trials aboard Nimitz. U.S. Navy photo
The U.S. Navy's newest fighter launches from the deck of its oldest aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) distinguished by her gold-painted anchor. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy M. Ahearn
Two F-35Cs conduct the first catapult launches aboard USS Nimitz in what promises to become a familiar scene on Navy carrier decks in the future. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Dane Wiedmann
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