Cmdr. Eric Buus brings F-35C Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft CF-3 in for a landing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., May 29. The flight was the 300th flight for the F-35’s carrier variants and evaluated improvements in flight control laws for carrier approaches. The F-35C carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. The F-35C is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet. (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

NAVAIR press release