Forum: F-35 Armament, Stores and Tactics

The [F-35] program has started “pit testing” of weapons, or releasing weapons while the aircraft is parked on the ground. A Marine Corps F-35B has participated in these tests and similar trials will be conducted on an Air Force jet soon.

Source: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/02/m ... e-022312d/

The Paveway IV will also be carried by the UK's future Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. A first pit-drop test of the weapon from an F-35 was performed at Eglin AFB, Florida, in late March, Raytheon says. The weapon will be suitable for both internal and external carriage by the stealthy type.

Sled tests of a penetrating warhead have recently been conducted with Qinetiq, while work is also under way on a new blast/fragmentation charge offering reduced collateral damage effects. Both will have the same mass and centre of gravity as the current weapon, removing the need for additional integration activity, Marsden said during a 3 April briefing at Raytheon's Harlow site in the UK. Longer term, the weapon could also gain a range extension kit and a data link.