Page 12 - F-35B and USMC

The Integration of the F-35B into USMC Operations

It was fitting that the F-35B would complete its Development Testing (DT-III) on an advanced US Navy (USN)
platform named “America.”

The two platforms (United States Marine Corps (USMC) F-35B Lightning II and USN USS America)
represent a quantum leap in Marine aviation capability, particularly when considered in combination
with the MV-22B Osprey, AH-1Z, UH-1Y and incoming CH-53K.

Pilots, engineers, maintainers and personnel from VX-23 (Air Test and Evaluation Squadron) of NAS Patuxent
River, MD flew across the country with their two heavily instrumented F-35Bs for the shipboard DT-III late
October through November 17, 2016.

They were joined by aircraft and personnel from VMX-1 (Marine Operational Test and Evaluation squadron)
to support the maintenance phase of DT-III.
VMX-1 also participated in operational activity in preparation for the F-35Bs first shipborne deployment in
about a year.

DT-III evaluated and validated the Short Take-off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) performance of the F-35B
in high sea states, with full weapons loads (external & internal), with asymmetric loading (including
taking off with a full load of externals, jettisoning one side and landing), live weapons and night
operations.

Onboard maintenance activities involved the entire replacement of an engine, driveshaft and lift fan on one
of the VMX-1 aircraft.

After replacement, the VMX-1 aircraft was flown off the deck.
USMC VMX-1 Commanding Officer, Col. George “Sack” Rowell, noted that the F-35B will equal or exceed the
shipborne operational capabilities of the AV-8B Harrier in high sea states. Flight operations took place in winds
of up to 47 knots from various angles, a deck roll of 5° and deck pitch of 3°. Maintenance work was
accomplished (albeit with challenges) while the ship was rolling 9°!
DT-III was a great success achieving primary DT-III flight test points as well as numerous additional milestones
for the F-35B;

• Shipborne integration of Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) V.2
• Engine, driveshaft and lift fan removal and replacement aboard a L-Class ship
• Live ordnance operations with the F-35B aboard a ship (from ship to MCAS Yuma Range)
• F-35B integration with USN AEGIS validated
• Operational Test aircraft flew Block 3F software at-sea
• 1st Royal Navy pilot F-35B carrier qualified
• Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) utilized for shipborne landing
• Use of night vision goggles (NVG) for landing
• Link-16 Integration with a variety of aircraft

The success of the tests validates the Marine Corps experience with the aircraft to date.
USMC Lt. General Jon Davis, Deputy Commandant for Aviation Marine Corps captured that experience,

I’d deploy tomorrow.

Second Line of Defense

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