10/13/2015: F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighters assigned to the Salty Dogs of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 land aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducting follow-on sea trials.
Credit:U.S. Navy video/Released):10/2/15
According to Ali Rockett of the Newport News. Daily Press:
Rear Adm. J.R. Haley, commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic… (commented):
With the aircraft’s stealth ability and sensors, the F-35C would be able to, from great distance, spy and shoot any plane that might challenge it close up, Haley said.
“It’s not about stealthy. It’s about the entire air frame itself and what it brings to the fight,” Haley said.
“And bringing that up and down off the carrier provides the country with huge, huge benefits and a lot of latitude of where we operate that air platform.
It’s going to change dramatically our tactics and how we fight the air wing and the ship and how we fight the battle group.”