Full Report
The landing on the future USS John F. Kennedy marks a key step in integrating the F-35C with the Ford class after years of delays and technical challenges. The post F-35C Makes First Arrested Landing Aboard A Ford Class Carrier appeared first on TWZ.
Analysis Summary
# Morning News Roll-up October 24, 2024
## Overview
This report covers significant updates in U.S. naval aviation and defense technology, primarily focusing on the successful integration milestones of the F-35C Lightning II with the new *Ford* class carrier platform, as well as historical performance reviews and recent testing of advanced munitions.
## Top Stories
### F-35C Makes First Arrested Landing Aboard A Ford Class Carrier
- Summary: A U.S. Navy F-35C successfully conducted its first arrested landing aboard the future USS *John F. Kennedy* (CVN 79) on October 13, 2026. This milestone validates the integration of the stealth fighter with the ship's Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) following years of technical delays.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/air/f-35c-makes-first-arrested-landing-aboard-a-ford-class-carrier
### F-35 Shown Carrying Stealthy Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles
- Summary: Recent testing has revealed the F-35 platform carrying advanced, stealthy long-range anti-ship missiles (LRASM) for the first time. This development significantly enhances the maritime strike capabilities of the F-35 fleet against high-end adversaries in contested environments.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/air/f-35-shown-carrying-stealthy-long-range-anti-ship-missiles-for-first-time
### A-10 Vs F-35 Close Air Support Flyoff Report Emerges
- Summary: The long-awaited report comparing the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the F-35 Lightning II in Close Air Support (CAS) roles has emerged. The findings detail the trade-offs between the A-10's specialized low-altitude endurance and the F-35's survivability in modern integrated air defense (IADS) environments.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/a-10-vs-f-35-close-air-support-flyoff-report-finally-emerges
***
# Main Topic
**Integration of F-35C Stealth Fighters with *Ford* Class Aircraft Carrier Systems**
Validation of advanced launch and recovery hardware aboard the future USS *John F. Kennedy* (CVN 79) to resolve historical technical incompatibilities between the Navy's premier stealth fighter and its newest class of supercarriers.
## Key Points
- **Successful Recovery Milestone:** On October 13, 2026, an F-35C from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) performed the first arrested landing on CVN 79.
- **System Validation:** The testing focuses on the Aircraft Compatibility Testing (ACT) campaign, ensuring the F-35C functions correctly with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).
- **Instrumentation & Telemetry:** Test aircraft utilized precision telemetry markings and specialized instrumentation to capture spatial data and system performance during flight-deck operations.
- **Weapon Integration:** Testing included external carriage of inert Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), confirming the carrier's ability to handle armed F-35C sorties.
## Threat Actors
*Note: In the context of this report, the "threats" are technical failures and systemic delays rather than malicious actors.*
- **Systemic Integration Challenges:** Historical delays and technical hurdles in maturing EMALS/AAG technology for the *Ford* class.
- **Operational Risks:** Previous incidents, such as the F-35C South China Sea crash, highlight the high-stakes nature of carrier-based stealth operations.
## TTPs
*Tactics and Procedures utilized during this testing phase:*
- **Aircraft Compatibility Testing (ACT):** A structured evaluation method to ensure carrier hardware (catapults/arresting gear) meets the specific aerodynamic and structural requirements of the F-35C.
- **External Stores Testing:** Flying "heavy" configurations with inert munitions to test launch/recovery physics under operational weight loads.
- **Carrier Qualification (CQ) Procedures:** The application of standard Navy recovery cycles to a new hull class to establish safety envelopes.
## Affected Systems
- **Platforms:** F-35C Lightning II (Carrier Variant).
- **Vessels:** *Ford* class aircraft carriers, specifically PCU/USS *John F. Kennedy* (CVN 79).
- **Sub-systems:** Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).
- **Ordnance:** JDAM-series weapons (specifically 500-lb inert variants for testing).
## Mitigations
- **Advanced Telemetry:** Use of instrumented aircraft to identify "edge case" failures in the arresting gear before full squadron deployment.
- **Incremental Acceptance:** The Navy's "preliminary acceptance" phase allows for at-sea testing (ACT) to identify and fix bugs before formal ship delivery in 2027.
- **Structural Reinforcement:** The F-35C design includes reinforced landing gear and larger control surfaces specifically to mitigate the stresses of arrested landings.
## Conclusion
The successful landing on CVN 79 represents the resolution of a primary strategic bottleneck for the U.S. Navy. The ability to deploy F-35Cs from *Ford* class carriers is essential for maintaining air superiority in high-threat environments. While technical risks remain during the final delivery phase in 2027, the current data suggests the integration of EMALS/AAG with stealth airframes is now operationally viable.