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Video: F-35C begins testing in earnest
The first F-35C has arrived at NAS Patuxent River for flight testing.
Gary Parsons - 9-Nov-2010
CF-01, the first Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II carrier variant destined for the US Navy and British forces arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River in Maryland on Saturday, November 6.
The aircraft, piloted by David ‘Doc’ Nelson, departed NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base and achieved successful air refuels at a maximum load of 19,800lb during the flight.
At Pax River the F-35C will conduct air-to-air refuelling and performance testing.
Lockheed Martin's first F-35C Lightning II has touched down at NAS Patuxent River in Maryland,
with the aircraft sporting a new colour scheme.
The first flight-test example of the carrier variant Joint Strike Fighter landed at the site after a ferry flight from Fort Worth, Texas.
"The flight was perfect," says Lockheed test pilot David "Doc" Nelson.
Aircraft CF-01 was supported by a US Marine Corps KC-130 tanker during the trip, and "achieved successful air refuels at a maximum load of 19,800lb [8,980kg]," says Lockheed.
It will now be used to support further air-to-air refuelling activities and other performance tests at Patuxent River.