The first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant test aircraft completed its 100th flight on 29 November 2011. Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Matthew Taylor was at the controls during the sortie from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division test facility at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. In 2011, the F-35 Integrated Test Force completed initial jet blast deflector and catapult launch testing. In 2012, the team will continue carrier suitability testing leading up to initial sea trials which are scheduled for 2013. The F-35C is different from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with operations on an aircraft carrier.
