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Testing the suitability and integration of the
F-35C in an at-sea environment, DT-II
included simulated maintenance operations
and general maintenance and fi t tests for the
aircraft and support equipment. Additionally,
it evaluated the Generation 3 helmet-mounted
display and included the fi rst night fl ights at
sea with the helmet.
Five test pilots were involved in the
evaluations, which included high-risk fl ights
that tested the jet’s ability to take off at a reduced
airspeed, at weights from 55,000-60,000lb
(24,948-27,216kg) carrying full fuel loads, an
inert 2,000lb (907kg) GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack
Munition and two AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles
in the internal weapons bays. The fi ghters also
utilised full-power afterburner take-offs from the
ship’s two bow catapults, which are equipped
with modifi ed jet blast defl ectors. Testing also
evaluated the Joint Precision Approach and
Landing System (JPALS), which provides
adverse-weather precision approach and landing
capability. During the tests the ship was
operating in crosswinds of up to 40kt.
The third period – DT-III – which began on
August 14, 2016, aboard the USS George
Washington off the coast of Virginia,
included over 600 test points includingF-35 LIGHTNING II F-35C into service