A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II fighter made its first arrested landing and subsequent launch from the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The maneuvers were conducted by test pilots from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23) operating out of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, Maryland. The flight deck of the carrier, currently undergoing acceptance trials at Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding facility, served as the operational testbed for the new technologies integrated into the carrier's design. The successful execution of these maneuvers marks a milestone in the development of the carrier's ability to support fifth-generation aircraft. The USS John F. Kennedy, designated PCU (pre-commissioning unit) John F. Kennedy, has experienced multi-year delays primarily due to requirements imposed by congressional legislation. Lawmakers mandated that the carrier must be capable of fielding the F-35C and the Advanced Enterprise Surveillance Radar (EASR) system before final acceptance. This requirement stemmed from earlier challenges encountered by the lead ship of the class, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), which was unable to initially operate the F-35C. Both the Ford and Kennedy classes will ultimately receive modifications to accommodate fifth-generation fighters and the EASR system. The carrier's Advanced Weapons Elevators, responsible for moving ordnance through the ship, and the Advanced Arresting Gear, which captures aircraft upon landing, represent novel technologies that contributed to extended development timelines for the Ford-class carriers. The successful landing and launch of the F-35C on the Kennedy represents a significant step in validating these integrated systems for future carrier operations.