U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II stealth jets will conduct a series of take-offs and landings to test the strengthened flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), and the capability of the F-35B to operate out of this ship, sometimes referred to as a "small aircraft carrier."

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Seven of the Lockhed Martin F-35B Strike Fighters, the jet's short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant, will conduct what the Navy refers to as developmental and operational testing aboard the America. The America is the first ship in the America-class that incorporates design elements specifically installed to accommodate the fifth-generation jet.

Among its enhanced aviation capabilities are an enlarged hangar deck; realigned and expanded aviation maintenance facilities, increased stowage and a larger fuel capacity.

America has also been modified to make her better able to withstand the terrific heat generated by the F-35B's engine exhaust when taking-off or landing vertically.

Two jets will undergo third-phase developmental testing, while five will undergo operational testing. These tests will evaluate the jet's STOVL operations in a high-sea state, shipboard landings and night operations.

The America can only deploy and recover helicopters and STOVL aircraft like the F-35, the Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey multi-mission tiltrotor aircraft and the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II.

Her mission is to act as the flagship of an expeditionary strike group or amphibious ready group, carrying part of a Marine expeditionary unit into battle and putting them ashore with helicopters and MV-22 Ospreys supported by F-35B jets and helicopter gunships.

With a displacement of 45,000 tons, she's as large as the aircraft carriers of many other nations, and can fulfill missions conducted by an aircraft carrier when outfitted with 20 F-35Bs.

A normal aircraft complement for the America consists of 12 MV-22B transports; six F-35Bs, four Sikorsky CH-53K Sea Stallion heavy transport helicopters; seven Bell AH-1Z/UH-1Y attack helicopters and two Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawks for air-sea rescue.

In the role of a small aircraft carrier, the America can carry 20 F-35B and 2 MH-60S.

TagsU.S. Marine Corps, Lockhed Martin F-35B Strike Fighter, USS America (LHA-6), short takeoff and vertical landing, STOVL