The F-35’s United Operational Test Team has successfully conducted the first ever dual, external release of a GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) from an F-35. This successful test, which took place at Edwards Air Force Base, California, marks a critical milestone in integrating the LJDAM across all variants of the 5th-generation fighter.
Photo: U.S. Air Force
The event saw an F-35C variant from the U.S. Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 Detachment, loaded with two GBU-54 munitions underneath the wings of the aircraft, execute the test.
According to Cmdr. Michael “Squintz” Procelli, an aircraft pilot involved in the test, “The capability to carry LJDAMs externally will greatly increase the air-to-surface strike capability of the aircraft. This [Weapon Delivery Event] expands the Joint Strike Fighter’s flexibility when countering asymmetrical threats with more kinetic options”.
The test was also designed to push the limits of the F-35’s Stores Management System, the software responsible for managing the weapons loaded on the aircraft. The team examined how the system reacted to the simultaneous release of multiple weapons, a critical aspect for effective combat deployment. The bombs were employed against a remote-controlled High-Speed Moving Target. Guidance to the target was provided by the F-35’s onboard Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS). This advanced sensor suite combines forward looking infrared, infrared search and track, and a combat laser, offering improved situational awareness compared to legacy sensor pods.
The weapons were deployed in conjunction with a joint tactical air controller, simulating a typical battlefield environment. Testing the separation and guidance of the weapon provides valuable insights into the usability of the F-35s strike capability. The successful completion of this test demonstrates the F-35’s ability to accurately engage targets in dynamic and challenging scenarios.
This successful test is not just about expanding the F-35’s weapon capacity, it is also a demonstration of the advanced capabilities of the EOTS system.
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