Navy postpones F-35C at-sea testing due to Hurricane Irma

The Navy is postponing its at-sea Joint Strike Fighter testing because of harsh weather conditions as a result of Hurricane Irma, according to the service.

The aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is returning to Norfolk, VA, Navy spokesman Cmdr. Dave Hecht confirmed Sept. 7 to Inside Defense.

F-35 Program Executive Officer Vice Adm. Mat Winter told reporters Sept. 6 that Strike Fighter Squadron-101 and VFA-125 had begun carrier qualification testing the previous day.

"They had a very productive day," he said. "We had the test pilots wearing the new helmet with the new organic LED configuration to assess the green-glow fix." Green-glow typically occurs at night and makes it difficult for pilots to see certain objects.

The Navy deems the O-LED helmet "acceptable," but Winter said the new configuration needs to be tested in darker conditions at sea.