The first F-35B assembled outside the US has arrived at NAS Pax River, Maryland.
On Jan. 31, the first Italian Navy F-35B completed its transatlantic crossing landing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland.
At Pax River, the aircraft, serialled MM7451/4-01 and taken on charge by the Marina Militare at the Cameri FACO on Jan. 25, 2018 will obtain the Electromagnetic Environmental Effects certification, before moving to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina home of U.S. Marine Corps F-35B pilot training.
The ferry flight from Cameri to the U.S. was a joint effort that saw the Italian Air Force supporting the crossing (that included a stopover in Lajes): two test pilots, one belonging to the ItAF, the other one belonging to the Navy, both serving with the Reparto Sperimentale Volo (Italian Air Force Test Wing) flew the aircraft. During the navigation, the F-35B was also supported by a C-130J from the 46^ Aerobrigata (Air Brigade) from Pisa, in Oceanic SAR configuration, by a KC-767A tanker from the 14° Stormo (Wing) from Pratica di Mare, that refueled the aircraft, as well as by a two seater TF-2000A Eurofighter Typhoon belonging to the 4° Stormo from Grosseto, that chased the JSF along the way.
Image credit: Italy MoD
