F-35A completes test with external weapons
NewsFebruary 21, 2012
FORT WORTH, Texas. The F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) fighter jet?s first flew its first external weapons test mission at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
The weapons load consisted of carrying two air-to-air AIM-9X missiles on the outboard wing stations. The F-35 also had two internal 2,000-pound guided bombs (GBU-31) as well as two advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AIM-120) inside the two internal weapon bays.
None of the weapons were delivered during the test mission. The jet also had mounted four external pylons that are capable of carrying 2000-pound air-to-ground weapons.
The F-35A can carry as much as 18,000 pounds on 10 weapon stations featuring four weapon stations inside the two weapon bays, for extreme stealth capability. It also has an additional three weapon stations on each wing.
