Copyright by WAVY - All rights reserved CV DT-III CF-3 FLT 326 piloted by CDR Ted Dyckman CF-5 FLT 211 piloted by Maj Eric Northam VFA-101 Squadron Carrier Qualifications (CQ) USS George Washington on 14 Aug. 2016 Photography by Todd R. McQueen

Copyright by WAVY - All rights reserved CV DT-III CF-3 FLT 326 piloted by CDR Ted Dyckman CF-5 FLT 211 piloted by Maj Eric Northam VFA-101 Squadron Carrier Qualifications (CQ) USS George Washington on 14 Aug. 2016 Photography by Todd R. McQueen

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) -- The U.S. Navy's newest warfighting aircraft is one step closer to becoming battle-ready.

The third and final phase of testing of the F-35C got underway Sunday aboard the USS George Washington about 100 miles off the Virginia coast.

12 pilots from the Oceana-based Fighter Squadron 101 put the jet to work Monday as part of the three-week test period.

The pilots spent the day catapulting off the carrier and testing the arresting gear, which are the wires which help bring the plane to a safe stop.

The F-35C, designed specifically to land on board a carrier, will hopefully be ready by 2018, according to Navy officials.

Last month, the F-35B launched for the Marine Corps, which is designed to takeoff and land vertically.

In July 2015, the Air Force unveiled the first iteration, the F-35A.

"Between the radar and some of the other sensors on board the airplane, you have 360-degree information coming in," said Rear Admiral Roy Kelley. "That's far different than any other airplane we have right now."

The flight control system is also a new addition to the plane, says Kelley. Delta Flight Path allows pilots to virtually be hands-off during the landing, which the Navy says increases safety by minimizing the risk for error and decreases the workload on pilots.

"This is like going from a Cadillac to a BMW. You almost feel guilty. You are very self-conscious because it is that good," said Capt. James Christie, VFA 101. "I'm supposed to work for this, and I'm not working that hard. Why is this so easy? It really is that good."

A total of about 500 flight tests were scheduled over the three-week test period. At least 300 still remain. After this round of testing, officials say information will be collected from pilots and engineers will iron out any kinks from software to mechanical issues.