DT-II Complete

Photo by Andrew McMurtrie

The F-35 Lightning II Integrated Test Force at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, completed the second F-35C Developmental Test, or DT-II, program on 10 October, six days early. The DT-II testing was conducted aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) from 2-10 October and featured sixty-six catapults and arrestments across seventeen flights. Pilots logged 26.5 flight hours and achieved a total of 280 flight test points and seventeen logistics test and evaluation test points. A series of test events designed to gradually expand the aircraft operating envelope enabled the team to conduct routine F-35C operations in preparation for Navy F-35C initial operating capability in 2018.