Article Posted on : - Nov 10, 2010

F-35 Lightning II carrier variant arrives at Pax River. photo: Lockheed Martin

PATUXENT RIVER (BNS): US Navy has received first stealth fighter F-35C Lightning II carrier variant, from Lockheed Martin, the company announced on Tuesday.

The aircraft departed from NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base and arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland on Saturday at 04.31 pm GMT.

The aircraft has achieved successful air refuels at a maximum load of 19,800 pounds during the flight.

The F-35C will conduct air-to-air refueling and performance tests at Patuxent River.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter aircraft, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment and lower operational and support costs.