NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (Oct. 4, 2012) BF-17, part of the third lot of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP 3) F-35B Lightning II aircraft, arrives at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. BF-17 will temporarily add to the complement of F-35B and F-35C test aircraft at the F-35 Integrated Test Facility before heading to its ultimate destination at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter designed for use by the Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings to enable air power projection from amphibious ships, ski-jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River, Md., prior to delivery to the fleet. America's Sailors are Warfighters, a fast and flexible force deployed worldwide. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Andy Wolfe/Released)