October 15 – A Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II stealth aircraft completed an arrested landing on the future USS John F. Kennedy on October 13. This marks the initial instance of a fifth-generation jet touching down upon a Gerald R. Ford-class vessel. The historic flight operation was executed by a test aviator belonging to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23, designated as the Salty Dogs, stationed out of Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
This vital integration trial represents an integral component of ongoing evaluation tests for the second hull of the Ford class. The warship is undergoing intensive trials in the Western Atlantic prior to its formal fleet incorporation slated for 2027. Assessing how the stealth fighter coordinates with the platform’s advanced arresting gear and aviation infrastructure remains a core focus.
The milestone carries distinct importance because the lead vessel, the USS Gerald R. Ford, entered service in 2017 but has not yet deployed routinely with an embarked F-35C squadron. Unlike the initial carrier, the USS John F. Kennedy adopted a different building strategy to incorporate mandatory adjustments prior to delivery. This proactive approach aims to streamline upcoming naval flight operations and strike group capabilities.
Ultimately, this successful assessment establishes a pathway for expanded fifth-generation fighter deployments within the Pacific Fleet. As the U.S. Navy advances its air wing integration efforts, this deck landing serves as a crucial milestone toward broadening contemporary maritime air capabilities and overall mission readiness.