161028-N-AC237-301 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 28, 2016) An F-35B Lightning II aircraft launches for the first time off the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). The F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant is the world’s first supersonic STOVL stealth aircraft. America, with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) embarked, is underway conducting the first phase of developmental testing for the F-35B Lightning II aircraft, which will evaluate the full spectrum of joint strike fighter measures of suitability and effectiveness in an at-sea environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Wooddy/Released)