US Navy Lt. Cdr. Eric Buus ferried F-35C CF-2 to the Naval Air Engineering Station at Lakehurst, New Jersey, on 25 June 2011. The aircraft will undergo jet blast deflector ground testing at Lakehurst. Jet blast deflector testing ensures the aircraft is compatible with jet blast deflectors installed on Navy aircraft carriers. These devices deflect hot engine gases during aircraft launch operations so as not to cause heat and blast damage to other aircraft, equipment, and personnel on the flight deck. The deflectors consist of a series of water-cooled panels. The Lakehurst test site is a fully operational facility designed to simulate a variety of shipboard systems.
