January 13, 2021
The Italian Navy is all set to begin qualification trials and training for F-35B Lightning II aircraft onboard its aircraft carrier Cavour, the Naval attache at the Italian Embassy informed during a virtual symposium.
Cavour, the flagship of the Italian Navy, would reach the Naval Station Norfolk next month to commence F-35B STOVL qualifications with the United States Marine Corps.
Currently, the vessel carries 10 AV-8B Harrier II aircraft and can support only fixed-wing V/STOL and helicopter air operations. It is the second aircraft carrier of the Marina Militare (Italian Navy), complementing the Guiseppe Garibaldi.
To replace the AV-8B Harrier IIs, the Italian Government has ordered 15 F-35B STOVL aircraft from the United States and the up-gradation of the ship to house the new stealth fighter jets was completed in May 2020. According to the reports, Cavour will have room for ten F-35Bs in the hangar, and six more parked on deck.