The amphibious assault ship, currently docked in New York City for Fleet Week 2024, will undergo work to carry F-35B Lightning II fighter jets. The upgrade will be "game-changer" for the capabilities and future operations of the ship, a senior officer said. AdvertisementAn F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft sits on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex. Ken Kalemkarian/releasedThe idea of a lightning carrier has roots in the "Harrier carrier" concept, which the Bataan notably employed in Iraq in 2003. Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft operate alongside amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) in the Gulf of Oman, Aug. 17, 2023.

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Persons: —, it'll, Gerald R, Ford, Trace, Chandler Harrell, Brian Cavanaugh, Cpl, Ken Kalemkarian, Thomas Hudner, Cavanaugh, Lockheed Martin Organizations: Service, Bataan, Fleet, Business, US Navy, Marine Forces Command, US Navy Nimitz, Attack Squadron, Marine Corps Air, U.S . Air Force, US, USS, Lockheed Locations: New York City, Bataan, Essex, Yuma, Ariz, Iraq, China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Gulf of Oman, USS America