Seven F-35B Lightning II jets are scheduled to conduct developmental and operational testing aboard the USS America amphibious assault ship, the sea service said Monday.

Two jets are slated for third-phase developmental testing, while five will undergo operational testing, the Navy said in a statement.

That third phase will evaluate the jet's short take-off vertical landing operations in a high-sea state, shipboard landings and night operations.

Operational testing will involve the simulation of extensive maintenance on a ship.

America is the first ship of its class that incorporates design elements specifically to accommodate the fifth-generation jet.

Among its enhanced aviation capabilities, the ship includes an enlarged hangar deck, realigned and expanded aviation maintenance facilities, increased stowage and more fuel capacity.

It can accommodate the Lightning II, U.S. Marine Corps Ospreys and various helicopters.

Boeing gets $80 million option for Apache helicopter work
Washington (UPI) Nov 1, 2016 - Boeing has received an $80 million U.S. Army contract modification to execute a year two option for work on Apache helicopters.

The deal will cover the continuation of Apache Helicopter performance-based logistics for D-unique, D/E common and E-unique components, supplies and services.

Work will be performed in Arizona and has an estimated completion date of October 2017.

The Army Contracting Command is the contracting entity.

The Apache is an advanced multirole combat helicopter manufactured by Boeing.

Boeing has delivered more than 2,200 of the helicopters to global customers.

The first of the helicopters was delivered to the U.S. Army in 1984, with international customers now including Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.