F-35C lands on a carrier. So did a C-130...that's not the real test.

via Reuters.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The first of two Lockheed Martin Corp F-35C fighter jets landed successfully on the USS Nimitz off the coast of San Diego on Monday, marking the new warplane's first landing on an aircraft carrier using its tailhook system, the Pentagon said.
Joe DellaVedova, spokesman for the Pentagon's F-35 joint program office, said the landing was part of a two-week sea-based test that runs through Nov. 17.
It marks another milestone for the Pentagon's biggest weapons project, a $399 billion program designed to replace over a dozen different types of warplanes being used by the U.S. military and its allies.
After years of delays and cost overruns, the F-35 program has generally met its schedule and cost targets since a major restructuring in 2010, although a temporary fleetwide grounding ordered after an engine failure in June has set back testing by 45 to 50 days.
The sea-based testing of the plane will give officials key data about the ship's performance on a carrier, and allow any adjustments needed to keep the program on track for initial use by the fleet in 2018.
Navy test pilot Commander Tony Wilson, who landed the CF-03 aircraft on the Nimitz flight deck just after noon, called it a "landmark event."

The F-35C landing on a carrier is a landmark event?  Sorry.  Not even close.  I'm not even an aviation guy and I know better.

Its not about landing.  A combat UAV did that earlier this year and did it in a precision approach.  Back in the 60's a C-130 did it.  I'm not sure but I think they even played with U-2's on deck.

No.  The real issue will be on the dull and boring work that takes place below deck.

No one is talking about maintaining stealth at sea anymore.  That's dropped off everyone's view screens but that's gonna be the deal breaker.  That along with the price that they're moving heaven and earth to lower.  That along with a maintenance bill that looks to swallow the Marine Corps and Navy alive.

Congrats on the landing, but don't be fooled.

This turkey is not yet finished screwing with the Naval Services.  The spiral is here, they're fighting to prevent it but I just don't see a way out for them.  Oh and remember.  You heard it here first.

Sidenote:  The Naval Services in general and the US Navy in particular are facing a huge problem.  Unlike the USAF, their airplanes are useless unless they have ships to operate from.  Additionally the US Navy sees future air combat in a fundamentally different way than the USAF does.  This is built in friction.  The USMC no longer has the main booster in chief in the Commandant's chair and adult leadership will see cuts made.  The only piece left to fall in place for that eventuality is Republican control of the Senate.