The first production model F-35C carrier variant – CF-6 – has made its maiden flight. On delivery later this year the aircraft will be assigned to the US Navy fighter attack squadron 101 based at Eglin Air Force base in Florida.
The unit will serve as the fleet replacement squadron training navy F-35C pilots and engineers.
CF-6 joins a fleet of nine F-35A conventional takeoff and landing, and 13 F-35B short takeoff and landing aircraft already based at Eglin.