Milestone

First F-35B landing aboard the Italian carrier Cavour

March 1, 2021

Two F-35Bs from the U.S. Navy test squadron VX-23 made the first landing on the deck of the Italian carrier Cavour, off Norfolk, as part of the ship's certification campaign for the type. The trials closed on 26 March with more than fifty missions and around a hundred and twenty landings and take-offs. Certification opened the way for the Marina Militare to embark its own aircraft.

Sources: The Aviationist — Sea trials successfully completed: Italian Navy aircraft carrier achieves F-35B airworthiness certification