An F-35A has completed the first in-flight weapons release of a GBU-31 BLU-109 JDAM.
October 17: A Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft completed the first in-flight weapons release of a 2,000lb (900kg) GBU-31 BLU-109 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) yesterday.
The flight was conducted by US Air Force Major Matthew Phillips. The aircraft, AF-01, jettisoned an instrumented GBU-31 over the China Lake test range from the left internal weapons bay. The F-35A is designed to carry a payload of up to 18,000lb (8,200kg) using ten weapon stations including four internal weapon stations located in two weapon bays to maximise stealth capability. The CTOL aircraft has three external weapon stations per wing if required.
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