U.S. Navy Achieves First F-35B Fighter Jet Landing on Amphibious Assault Ship USS Kearsarge.

The U.S. Navy USS Kearsarge, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, completed its first F-35 B Lightning II short takeoff vertical landing operations in the Atlantic Ocean on February 10, 2026, according to U.S. Fleet Forces Command. The milestone strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to project fifth-generation air power from amphibious assault ships in open-ocean conditions.

The U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, LHD 3, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, has successfully conducted F-35B Lightning II fighter jet flight operations in the Atlantic, marking the first time the stealth fighter has landed aboard the Wasp-class vessel. U.S. Fleet Forces Command confirmed the February 10 event, describing it as a key integration milestone that expands the operational flexibility of the Atlantic fleet. The at-sea evolutions validated the ship’s flight deck, aviation support systems, and command-and-control architecture to sustain short takeoff and vertical landing operations in dynamic maritime conditions.
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U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II executes a vertical landing on the flight deck of USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) during historic first flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean on February 10, 2026, marking the ship’s entry into fifth-generation expeditionary strike capability. (Picture source: U.S. Navy)

While Wasp-class ships have previously operated the F-35B fighter jet, Kearsarge’s certification signals a broader operational shift within the Atlantic Fleet, where amphibious ready groups are increasingly expected to generate credible fixed-wing combat power alongside traditional Marine assault missions. A senior Navy source familiar with the ship’s preparations told Army Recognition that flight-deck heat-resistant treatments, aviation fuel systems, and secure data links were carefully assessed ahead of the certification event. The successful vertical landing on February 10 confirmed the ship’s readiness to safely sustain the intense downward thrust and thermal loads generated by the F-35B during STOVL operations.

The U.S. Navy USS Kearsarge, commissioned in 1993, displaces approximately 40,500 tons at full load and stretches 257 meters in length. Originally optimized to deploy Marine Expeditionary Units equipped with helicopters, MV-22B Ospreys, and AV-8B Harriers, the ship now enters a new phase of capability with the integration of a fifth-generation stealth fighter. This transition reflects the broader modernization of U.S. amphibious forces, which are being repositioned as forward-deployed, multi-domain platforms capable of operating in contested maritime environments.

The F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) fighter jet remains a cornerstone of the Marine Corps' aviation transformation. Powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, generating around 40,000 pounds of thrust, the aircraft incorporates a shaft-driven lift fan developed by Rolls-Royce and a swiveling exhaust nozzle that enables short takeoffs and vertical landings from compact flight decks. Beyond its propulsion innovation, the aircraft’s operational strength lies in its sensor fusion architecture. The AN APG-81 AESA radar, Distributed Aperture System, Electro-Optical Targeting System, and advanced electronic warfare suite merge data into a single tactical picture displayed on the pilot’s helmet-mounted interface.

The F-35B can carry precision-guided munitions such as the GBU-32 JDAM, GBU-53 StormBreaker, and AIM-120 AMRAAM internally to preserve low observability. At the same time, external hardpoints allow expanded payloads when stealth is not the primary requirement. Just as important, the aircraft functions as an airborne intelligence and battle management node, transmitting real-time targeting data to naval surface combatants, joint air assets, and ground-based systems. Embarked aboard an amphibious assault ship, it extends the sensor and strike reach of the entire task group far beyond the horizon.

Strategically, the certification of Kearsarge for F-35B operations reinforces the Navy’s ability to distribute combat power across a wider number of sea-based platforms. In the Atlantic, where Russian naval activity and Arctic access routes continue to drive renewed competition, the availability of an LHD capable of deploying stealth fighters adds flexibility without drawing on carrier strike groups assigned to other theaters. An amphibious ready group equipped with F-35Bs can conduct suppression of enemy air defenses, provide air superiority over littoral zones, support amphibious landings, and contribute to sea control operations in contested environments.

From a technical standpoint, integrating the F-35B required upgrades to maintenance spaces, secure communications infrastructure, and compatibility with the ODIN logistics network that supports fleet-wide aircraft sustainment. These adjustments ensure that the aircraft can be maintained, mission-planned, and rapidly turned around at sea, sustaining sortie generation rates consistent with expeditionary operations.

For the U.S. Marine Corps, the significance of this development extends well beyond a single landing event. The F-35B enables U.S. Marine Air-Ground Task Forces to operate as cohesive, networked combat systems that integrate aviation, maneuver units, and logistics under unified command.

In crisis response scenarios, the aircraft provides immediate air superiority and precision strike coverage for amphibious forces. In high-intensity conflict, it acts as a forward sensor and strike asset supporting naval campaigns, joint forcible entry operations, and maritime interdiction missions.

As the U.S. Marine Corps adapts to distributed maritime operations and stand-in force concepts in both the Indo-Pacific and European theaters, the ability to project fifth-generation airpower from amphibious ships such as USS Kearsarge provides a survivable, flexible option for U.S. combatant commanders. The February 10, 2026, landing therefore stands as more than a technical milestone. It marks a visible step in the evolution of U.S. amphibious warfare, where traditional sea-based assault capabilities are now fused with stealth airpower to shape the future battlefield from the maritime domain.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.