Marine Maj. Dylan “Bilbo” Nicholas, test pilot, performs a short takeoff launch from a land-based ski jump in an F-35B Lightning II aircraft from the Patuxent River F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., Feb. 16, 2022. Flying the short takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the 5th generation fighter, Nicholas was participating in STOVL operations training for the combined test team – aircrew and flight test control room engineers. The Pax River ITF’s mission is to effectively plan, coordinate, and conduct safe, secure, and efficient flight test for F-3
Marine Maj. Dylan “Bilbo” Nicholas, test pilot, performs a short takeoff launch from a land-based ski jump in an F-35B Lightning II aircraft from the Patuxent River F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., Feb. 16, 2022. Flying the short takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the 5th generation fighter, Nicholas was participating in STOVL operations training for the combined test team – aircrew and flight test control room engineers. The Pax River ITF’s mission is to effectively plan, coordinate, and conduct safe, secure, and efficient flight test for F-35B and C variants, and provide necessary and timely data to support program verification/certification and fleet operational requirements. (Photo by Kyra Helwick)
Size: 3600px × 2400px
Photo credit: © NB/IA / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -35, -35b, itf, nas, pax, river, stovl
