Lockheed - First F-35C Catapult Launch

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The F-35C completed its first steam catapult launch July 27 marking another milestone toward initial ship trials in 2013. Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Launch and Recovery Equipment) Brandon Barr used a TC-13 Mod 2 test steam catapult, representative of current fleet technology, launching F-35C test aircraft CF-3 into the sky. "It was great to be able to be a part of this milestone in the F-35C test program," said Navy test pilot Lt. Chris Tabert. "Due to the hard work of the entire test team, the event went very well and I look forward to seeing the airplane operate from the carrier." CF-3 is the designated carrier suitability testing aircraft, assigned to the F-35 integrated test facility at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.