USS John F. Kennedy completes first F-35C flight operations

The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), the second Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, successfully completed its first recovery of an F-35C Lightning II fighter jet in October 2026. During testing off the East Coast of the United States, the aircraft performed both a successful cable arrest and a launch using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS).

This milestone is a critical requirement for the vessel's transition to active service. The F-35C, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, is specifically mandated by Congress to be fully operational on the carrier once it enters service. The aircraft involved in these tests belonged to the VX-23 ‘Salty Dogs’ squadron from NAS Patuxent River.

The USS John F. Kennedy is currently in its testing phase following the completion of Acceptance Trials in August 2026. The carrier is scheduled to be officially delivered to the US Navy for operational use in the spring of 2027.