The Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Multi-role Fighter has had a long gestation period. The program was launched on 16 November 1996, after the Requirement issued in November 1994 and the Request for Proposals issued in December 1995. First flight of a developmental aircraft was 15 December 2006. First flight of F-35B was 11 June 2008. First flight of F-35A (pre-production representative) was 14 November 2009. First flight of F-35C was 6 June 2010. The F-35 has many versions.
Just announced was the successful carrier quals of the F-35C aboard the USS Nimitz, CVN-68 off San Diego waters. The F-35C was launched and trapped hooking the third arresting gear wire of four wires. A perfect trap as the third wire is the "sweet wire" goal on an aircraft carrier arrested landing by a US Naval Aviator.