F-35 Weapons Testing
An F-35A, AF-6, recently fired the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Targeting an aerial drone, the F-35 fired the AMRAAM over a sea test range. Test telemetry and observers confirmed the F-35 used mission system sensors to target the drone, pass the track to the missile, and then engaged the drone. The AMRAAM successfully acquired it’s target, and followed an intercept course. Before the AMRAAM could destroy the drone, the missile was given the self destruct signal. This was done to preserve the target drone for future tests.
Several days ago, another weapons test also took place. This test, involving an F-35B, successfully made use of the GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided bomb, against a fixed ground target in the form of a tank. This GBU-12 did not contain an explosive filler. Released from an altitude of twenty five thousand feet, the weapon fell for thirty five seconds before striking it’s target.
Using the F-35’s Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), the pilot identified, designated, and accurately delivered the GBU-12 to target.
Yet another step towards IOC. These tests come on the heels of the decision being reached in the Pentagon to increase production numbers for the F-35.
