Navy catapults F-35C LIghtning II JSF at Patuxent Naval Station

Monday - 11/14/2011, 5:04pm EST

Photo from Navy.mil.
The Navy launched the F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter by catapault for the first time at it's Patuxent River Naval Station, the Navy website reports.

The first test at Patuxent went off November 4. The Navy did previous testing in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The Navy says its F-35C is different from the F-35A and B because of larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear, to hold up under the strain of catapult launches and short landings on aircraft carriers.

This story is part of Federal News Radio's daily DoD Report. For more defense news, click here.

Tags: F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, Navy, DoD Report, In Depth