The STOVL F-35B variant of the Joint Strike Fighter will head to sea for sea trials off the USS Wasp next week, Lockheed Martin has confirmed.
The DT-2 (Development Test) trials aboard the USS Wasp will be the second of three planned trials aimed to validate the F-35B’s shipboard operating envelope for the US Marine Corps. The first phase of shipboard testing was completed in October 2011.
The shipboard trials follow the F-35B completing its 500th verticial landing on August 3.
F-35B IOC with the USMC is planned for 2015.
