Navy Declares F-35C Ready For Service

The U.S. Navy variant of the F-35 has achieved initial operational capability, reports the Navy NewsStand.

Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) recently completed aircraft carrier qualifications aboard USS Carl Vinson, said a Navy release on Thursday. 

To reach the milestone, the squadron required 10 F-35Cs with the latest Block 3F software; sufficient spare parts and support equipment; a functional Autonomic Logistic Information System (ALIS); and personnel properly trained for ground and carrier missions and equipped and briefed for necessary maintenance.

In early December, the squadron received its safe-for-flight operations certificate and has since been demonstrating that it can operate and maintain the fighter, reported USNI News.

The Navy originally planned to declare initial operational capability in August 2018, but this was postponed.

The F-35C is the last of three variants of the jet to achieve initial operational capability, noted the Stars and Stripes. The Marine Corps F-35B reached the milestone in 2015 and the Air Force F-35A in 2016.

VFA-147 is expected to deploy aboard the Carl Vinson in 2021, reported the Navy Times.