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12h ago

F-35C Completes First Arrested Landing on Ford-Class Carrier

The landing advances testing of the Navy’s newest carrier but further launches and system checks are needed before the ship and jet reach operational qualification.

Image
A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, attached to the "Salty Dogs" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), marking the first time an F-35C lands on a Ford-class aircraft carrier. (Image credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey)

Overview

  • The F-35C trapped on the flight deck of PCU John F. Kennedy on Oct. 13, 2026, during an Aircraft Compatibility Testing campaign and Navy photos show instrumented test jets used to collect data.
  • Two test pilots from VX-23 and personnel from the Patuxent River F-35 Integrated Test Force flew the trials and used a specially instrumented F-35C, with a second jet seen carrying inert JDAMs as external stores.
  • Kennedy has reached preliminary acceptance from Newport News Shipbuilding and is conducting at-sea testing to prepare for formal delivery planned for spring 2027.
  • The landing proves recovery compatibility but key work remains, including EMALS catapult launches, finish-work on jet blast deflectors and classified maintenance spaces, and validation of networks and weapons handling systems before operational qualification.
  • The milestone follows years of technical and reliability challenges with Ford-class systems such as EMALS and AAG and will determine how quickly the Navy can integrate fifth-generation jets into carrier air wings and raise sortie rates.