F-35A Completes First In-Flight Weapons Release


EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Oct 17, 2012 – An F-35A conventional takeoff
and landing (CTOL) aircraft completed the first in-flight weapons
release of a 2,000 pound GBU-31 BLU-109 Joint Direct Attack Munition
(JDAM) from a 5th Generation fighter, Oct. 16. The flight was conducted
by U.S. Air Force Maj. Eric "Doc" Schultz. The aircraft, known as AF-1,
jettisoned an instrumented GBU-31 over the China Lake test range from
the left internal weapons bay. The F-35A 5th Generation fighter is
designed to carry a payload of up to 18,000 pounds using 10 weapon
stations. The F-35A features four internal weapon stations located in
two weapon bays to maximize stealth capability. The CTOL aircraft can
also utilize an additional three external weapon stations per wing if
required.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and
aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture,
integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and
services. The corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2012/october/121017ae_f-35a-completes-weapons-release.html