Italian Navy carrier Cavour arrives in US for F-35B flight certification
17 February 2021
by Luca Peruzzi & Michael Fabey
The Italian Navy’s aircraft carrier ITS
Cavour
arrived at Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia on 13 February to conduct F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter ‘Ready for Operation’ certification trials.
ITS
Cavour
arriving in Norfolk Naval Station for the F-35B certification campaign.
(US Navy)
During the trials, Italian Navy pilots will learn to safely land and launch the F-35B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant and qualify for transition to the new aircraft.
The carrier-based flight tests, along with subsequent joint operations with US 2nd Fleet ships and aircraft, are meant to improve interoperability and strengthen the relationship between two NATO llies, US Navy (USN) officials said in a statement.