Marine Corps Maj. Michael Lippert and Peter Wilson, F-35 test pilots at the Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (ITF), conduct night field carrier landing practices Aug. 30, 2018, at NAS Patuxent River in preparation for the First of Class Flight Trials (Fixed Wing) on HMS Queen Elizabeth. During two FOCFT (FW) phases, held back-to-back this fall, the Pax River ITF team plans to perform a variety of flight maneuvers and deck operations to develop the F-35B operating envelope on United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth Class carriers. A third FOCFT (FW) phase followed by operational testing is s

---

Marine Corps Maj. Michael Lippert and Peter Wilson, F-35 test pilots at the Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (ITF), conduct night field carrier landing practices Aug. 30, 2018, at NAS Patuxent River in preparation for the First of Class Flight Trials (Fixed Wing) on HMS Queen Elizabeth. During two FOCFT (FW) phases, held back-to-back this fall, the Pax River ITF team plans to perform a variety of flight maneuvers and deck operations to develop the F-35B operating envelope on United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth Class carriers. A third FOCFT (FW) phase followed by operational testing is scheduled for 2019. Together, the tests will help the Ministry of Defence reach F-35B initial operating capability (maritime) in 2020.

---

Size: 1732px × 1155px
Photo credit: © Bob Collet / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: #-35, #jointprogramoffice, #nawcad, #stovl, #westlant18, air, america, archive, armed, army, defence, force, forces, military, navy, reportage, service, serviceman, servicemen, soldier, states, united, usa