US Navy Cmdr. Eric Buus brings F-35C Lightning II test aircraft CF-3 in for a landing at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, on 29 May 2012. The flight was the 300th flight for the F-35C carrier variant test fleet. Buus evaluated improvements in flight control laws for carrier approaches during the sortie. The F-35C is distinct 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 the demanding aircraft carrier environment.
