美 공군 F-35A, 외부 무장 장착 시험비행 실시

 

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F-35A AF-1 (2).jpg

 

2월 16일 美 서부 California 州 Edwards 공군기지에서 美 공군 F-35A, AF-01 기가 AIM-9X 공대공 미사일을 외부 무장 Pylon 에

장착하고 시험비행하는 모습 입니다.

 

한편 제작사 Lockheed Martin 측은 이날 시험비행에서 AF-01 기 좌/우 내부무장창에 AIM-120 AMRAAM 과 2,000 lb 급 GBU-31

JDAM 을 각 1발씩 장착하고 있었다 합니다.

 

제작사가 제공하는 고해상도 사진은 위 첨부파일로 내려받으면 됩니다.

 

참고로 이번 시험비행은 실사격 훈련 (Live Fire Test) 목적이 아닌, 단순 공대공 미사일 장착 시험 비행이었며, LM 측이 F-35A 

외부 무장 장착 능력을 대외적으로 급히(?) 보여주기 위한 다급함이 묻어나는 사진으로 추정됩니다. 

 

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F-35 makes flight test with external weapons at Edwards

Los Angeles Times, 02/20/2012

Author : W.J. Hennigan

 

 

The F-35, the military’s next-generation fighter jet that's currently under development, has begun its first flight tests carrying external missiles at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert.

 

The stealthy, supersonic fighter, built by Lockheed Martin Corp., has been undergoing tests since its first flight in late 2006.

 

The F-35, known as the Joint Strike Fighter, will be used jointly by the Navy, Marines and Air Force. Three versions of the F-35 are being built -- one that can operate off aircraft carriers, one capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings, and a conventional fighter jet.

 

All three F-35 variants will be built on the same production line at Lockheed's plant in Fort Worth, Texas. The center fuselage sections will be made by Northrop Grumman Corp. at Plant 42 in Palmdale.

 

Currently, the F-35 order is the Pentagon's costliest program going; the Defense Department has plans to buy more than 2,443 of the aircraft at a cost of $382 billion.

 

On Feb. 16, an F-35 took off carrying two air-to-air missiles off its wing, Lockheed said. In addition, the F-35 carried two internal 2,000-pound bunker-busting bombs and two advanced medium range air-to-air missiles inside the two internal weapon bays.

 

No weapons were delivered during the test flight, Lockheed said.

 

 

  ⓒ Lockheed Martin

 

  ⓒ Lockheed Martin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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