After hours in the simulator and performing ground tests, Lt. Cmdr. Eric “Magic” Buus took off in the fighter’s jump-jet variant, intended for the Marine Corps’ use, on Thursday from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
The Navy will fly the F-35C variant, intended for carrier landings.
“It’s a testament to the designers and engineers that this airplane flies so well,” Buus said in the news release. “I’m looking forward to getting a few more hours, helping the team knock out test points, and delivering this airplane to the war fighters. I think the fleet is going to love this airplane.”
Vice Adm. David Architzel, commander of Naval Air Systems Command, called the flight a milestone for naval aviation.
“Technology has come a long way, and our test pilots today are doing a great job getting the technology and capability out to the front lines,” Architzel said.
The program is in the design and development phase that aims to produce three variants of the fighter for the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.
The Navy is putting its JSF test pilots through extensive simulator training before they get in the cockpit, which will allow them to take their first F-35 flights solo — a break with the traditional approach. This will be the model for training aviators in the fleet, according to the announcement.
Sources : navytimes
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