US Navy Test Squadron VX-9 Flies USAF F-35A Lightning II
The US Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9) was observed operating a US Air Force F-35A Lightning II in a notable cross-service test flight at a California test facility, marking the first publicly documented instance of such activity.
First Public Cross-Service F-35A Flight by VX-9
Photos published January 23, 2026, show an F-35A, typically operated by the Air Force, in US Navy markings and flying under VX-9, the Navy’s principal operational test and evaluation unit.
The aircraft was previously assigned to the USAF’s 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, a unit central to developing and validating fighter capabilities. Its transfer under the F-35 Joint Program Office loan mechanism allowed Navy pilots to fly the conventional takeoff and landing variant at Mojave Air and Space Port in California.
Why the F-35A Matters to the Navy
The F-35A is the Air Force’s standard variant of the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II, designed for conventional runways and cleared for up to 9G maneuvers. Its role contrasts with the Navy’s carrier-capable F-35C, which features larger wings, reinforced landing gear, and a tailhook for carrier operations but is limited to about 7.5G.
Both variants share a common mission system, sensors, and software baseline. That means many test objectives, such as software updates, electronic warfare evaluations, and weapons integration tests, apply across the F-35 family regardless of airframe differences.
Program and Test Implications
Using an Air Force F-35A provides VX-9 with access to a larger pool of aircraft for development work, without drawing heavily on the Navy’s smaller F-35C inventory. F-35C production numbers remain limited, with deliveries extending into the next decade, while the F-35A fleet continues expanding rapidly.
This joint use reflects broader Pentagon priorities prioritizing shared platforms, software-defined capabilities, and interoperability over strict service boundaries.
What VX-9 Does
VX-9, known as the “Vampires,” is based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. The squadron conducts operational evaluations of fighter and electronic warfare aircraft and weapons systems. Its mix of aircraft typically includes the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, and the F-35C Lightning II.
Broader F-35 Context
The F-35 program remains central to US military aviation modernization, with variant deployments across the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, each tailored to specific mission needs. Recent developments and broader deployments underscore the platform’s role in joint and allied operations.
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