A U.S. Navy F-35C 'Lightning II' from the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 made an arrested landing aboard the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) yesterday in the western Atlantic, the first time an F-35C has landed on a Ford class aircraft carrier. The Kennedy is underway conducting Aircraft Compatibility Testing, which assesses the ship’s aircraft launch and recovery equipment with Navy aircraft.

The milestone comes as the carrier moves toward delivery. The Navy took preliminary acceptance of the Kennedy on September 29th, allowing the crew to begin at sea testing while the shipbuilder, HII, finishes final systems testing. Formal delivery is now expected in the second quarter of 2027, after slipping from the original July 2025 date because of delays certifying the new Advanced Arresting Gear and ongoing work on the Advanced Weapons Elevators. Unlike USS Gerald R. Ford, the Kennedy is being delivered ready to operate the F-35C.