F-35B Lightning II Aircraft land aboard USS America for Developmental Test Phase III [Image 158 of 386]

PACIFIC OCEAN

11.05.2016

Photo by Kyle S Goldberg 

U.S. Navy           

161105-N-VR008-0172
PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 5, 2016) An F-35B Lightning II aircraft launches from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) equipped with inert 500-pound GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided test bombs during flight operations. The F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant is the world’s first supersonic STOVL stealth aircraft. America, with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1), Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211) and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) embarked, are underway conducting operational testing and the third phase of developmental testing for the F-35B Lightning II aircraft, respectively. The tests will evaluate the full spectrum of joint strike fighter measures of suitability and effectiveness in an at-sea environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyle Goldberg/Released)

• Date Taken: 11.05.2016
• Date Posted: 11.10.2016 00:46
• Photo ID: 2980300
• VIRIN: 161105-N-VR008-0172
• Resolution: 3618x2584
• Size: 1.17 MB
• Location: PACIFIC OCEAN