Posted by John McHalePATUXENT RIVER, Md., 19 May 2011. Navy officials at the Naval Air Systems Command announced that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) carrier variant test aircraft has met its goals to date for 2011.The aircraft -- CF-1 -- completed 36 test flights up to May 11, almost half the program's goal for the year of 85. Thirteen flights were completed, tying a record for the number of test flights for any aircraft at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Seven flights were completed this month.Carrier suitability testing for the F-35C will begin later this summer at Joint Base Lakehurst-McGuire-Dix in New Jersey. These tests will include the first catapult launches. Shipboard testing is scheduled for 2013.The F-35C has larger wing control surfaces and reinforced landing gear to for ocean operations. The fighter jet also is undergoing test and evaluation to evaluate flutter, loads and mission systems at NAS Patuxent River prior to eventual delivery to the fleet.
