The second developmental test phase of the F-35C will begin on October 5th, the first developmental test was conducted in November 2014 on the USS Nimitz .
It is understood that two F-35Cs are scheduled to conduct the tests.
Compared to the F-35A, the F-35C carrier variant features larger wings with foldable wingtip sections, larger wing and tail control surfaces for improved low-speed control, stronger landing gear for the stresses of carrier arrested landings, a twin-wheel nose gear, and a stronger tailhook for use with carrier arrestor cables. The larger wing area allows for decreased landing speed while increasing both range and payload.
The United States Navy intends to buy 480 F-35Cs to replace the F/A-18A, B, C, and D Hornets and complement the Super Hornet fleet.
The USS Dwight D Eisenhower is a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. Commissioned in 1977, the ship is the second of the ten Nimitz class aircraft carriers currently in service
The testing will include day and night carrier qualifications, night operations with the Generation III Helmet Mounted Display, Delta Flight Path testing as well as F-35 Joint Precision Approach and Landing System testing.
Had we gone for the F35C we would only of had 1 X carrier. I prefer us using the F35B and having 2 X carriers ?
If only the uk had stuck with these when the change was announced, im happy with the f35b and the carriers we will get but i still think cats n traps would have been a better way to go.