The first landing of a U.S. Navy F-35C on a Ford-class aircraft carrier

The U.S. Navy has taken a new step in the process of integrating F-35C stealth fighters onto its new aircraft carriers.

The Gerald R. Ford class, the world's largest aircraft carriers, seen from the inside
The spectacular display of an F-35C, the largest and heaviest version of this fighter

On Tuesday, October 13, the U.S. Navy successfully conducted the first landing of an F-35C stealth fighter on one of the new Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, the PCU John F. Kennedy (prior to entering service, U.S. military vessels use the prefix PCU—Pre-Commissioning Unit—instead of USS—United States Ship). The future CVN-79 was the ship selected for this maneuver, as it is the first of its class fully adapted to operate the F-35C.

The first ship of that class, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), was not designed for the F-35C, as the vessel was planned before the F-35C's technical and operational requirements were known—which is why the Ford has never operated that type of aircraft, even though nine years have passed since the carrier entered service. The reason is that the Ford's flight deck is not built to withstand the 3,600°F (1,982°C) generated by the F-35C's engine exhaust.

According to 19fortyfive.com, the Ford also lacks other features necessary to operate the F-35C, such as secure spaces for its sensitive systems, facilities for maintaining its low-observability coatings at sea, the ODIN diagnostic network, and the computerized infrastructure that monitors the aircraft's engine and avionics and predicts potential failures. It will likely take years for the Ford to be able to operate the F-35C—a capability it would gain during a future ship modernization.

Currently, only 3 of the 11 active U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are certified to operate the F-35C: the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), and the USS George Washington (CVN-73)—all of which are Nimitz-class ships. Once operational, the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) will be the first Ford-class aircraft carrier certified to operate the F-35C, a capability that the next ship of that class, the USS Enterprise (CVN-80), will also possess.

Yesterday's landing on the CVN-79 was performed by an F-35C from the VX-23 "Salty Dogs" test squadron. The aircraft is number 401, piloted by Lieutenant Commander Robert "Clippy" Mason.

Unlike many other F-35s—an aircraft known for low-visibility paint schemes—F-35C 401 sports a striking, colorful design on its tail fins featuring the colors of the United States flag. Additionally, the aircraft's fuselage was marked with dozens of white reference circles for the test evaluation.

The CVN-79 is a CATOBAR-type aircraft carrier, meaning it launches aircraft using catapults and recovers them using arresting cables. The aircraft engage these cables via a retractable tailhook located at the rear of the plane.

The key innovation of the Ford-class carriers compared to other CATOBAR vessels is the EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System). Essentially, this system replaces traditional steam catapults with electromagnetic ones, which allow aircraft to accelerate more gradually, reducing the stress placed on their airframes. The installation of these catapults also requires less space and is less expensive than steam catapults; furthermore, they reset faster for subsequent launches and reduce onboard water consumption.

The PCU John F. Kennedy is scheduled to enter service in 2027, following several delays that pushed back the date (delivery was initially planned for 2024). Once active, the Kennedy will likely carry only one F-35C squadron—comprising 10 to 14 aircraft—while the other three fighter-attack squadrons will consist of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. This is the carrier air wing configuration used by the three US Navy aircraft carriers that already operate the F-35C.

The reason the US Navy operates only one F-35C squadron on these carriers is both logistical and economic. The F-35C is a very expensive aircraft to both acquire and operate, whereas the Super Hornet is cheaper to run. Furthermore, maintaining F-35Cs at sea requires facilities that would leave no room for other units if all four combat squadrons were equipped with that type of aircraft. Currently, the U.S. Navy employs the F-35C as a defense-penetrating aircraft and an advanced intelligence node, paving the way for strikes by the more numerous carrier-based force of Super Hornets—an aircraft model that typically carries a heavier weapons load during operations (while the F-35C has a higher overall capacity, its radar signature increases if it carries weapons under its wings).

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Photos: U.S. Navy.