US Marine Corps F-35B undergoing operational testing

USMC Photo Ahead of achieving Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in July, US Marine Corps is assessing the operational suitability an...

USMC Photo

Ahead of achieving Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in July, US Marine Corps is assessing the operational suitability and effectiveness of its next generation fighter, the Lockheed Martin F-35B, onboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1) ship.
The Operational Testing 1 (OT-1) is the first shipboard operational test period for the aircraft which began on May 18 and will lay the groundwork for future F-35B deployments aboard U.S. Navy amphibious carriers.

The OT-1 involves Six U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs and will continue through May 29.

As of May 26, F-35B pilots have flown more than 80 sorties from the ship. For the first time, the Marine Corps proved that a spare F-35B engine power module, a very large and intricate piece of machinery, can be safely transported from shore to ship in an MV-22 Osprey, providing depth to the Corps’ F-35B supply chain.

Maintenance has been conducted around the clock; both to keep the F-35B in the air, and to assess the Marines’ ability to conduct complex maintenance procedures to simulate maintenance situations that could arise on a standard shipboard deployment.

F-35B during night operations USMC Photo

Specific OT-1 objectives include demonstrating and assessing day and night flight operations in varying aircraft configurations; digital interoperability of aircraft and ship systems; F-35B landing signal officer's launch and recovery software; day and night weapons loading; and all aspects of maintenance, logistics, and sustainment support of the F-35B while deployed at sea.

OT-1 offered many first experiences for both personnel and the F-35B itself. One of these firsts was operational Marine Corps pilots landing the aircraft on a carrier at night.

UK personnel are also part of the OT-1. Royal Navy will operate its F-35B fleet from the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers from 2020.

In addition to doing operational testing and seeing how the aircraft is compatible with the Marine Corps’ warfighting components, the ability to logistically support aircraft aboard a U.S. Navy amphibious ship was also assessed.

The Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capable F-35B will revolutionize USMC'S expeditionary combat capability, and will replace three legacy Marine Corps platforms; the AV-8B Harrier, the F/A-18 Hornet, and the EA-6B Prowler.