F-35 Joint Program Office
Rare video footage shows the release of an inert version of the bomb from the stealth fighter's internal bomb bay.
By ANNA AHRONHEIM NOVEMBER 24, 2020
CLAIMING THAT agreeing to sell F-35s to such a country will lead to strategic harm for Israel is an exaggeration. An F-35 aircraft is seen in mid-flight during an aerial exercise at Uvda Air Force Base. (photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)
The US Air Force in cooperation with Sandia National Laboratories successfully completed a round of flight tests integrating the new B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb on the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter.
Though the test took place over the Tonopah Test Range at the Nevada Test and Training Range on August 25th, the video of the test was declassified on Monday.
The rare video footage showed the release of an inert version of the bomb from the stealth fighter’s internal bomb bay from about 10,500 feet as the jet flew faster than the speed of sound. The bomb, which contained non-nuclear and mock nuclear components, struck the desert floor at the designated target area some 42 seconds later.
“We successfully executed this historic, first-ever F-35A flight test at Tonopah Test Range within the specified delivery criteria,” said Brian Adkins, range manager at the range was quoted as saying.
The B61-12 is the latest variant of the B61 family of air-launched nuclear gravity bombs, which have been operational with the US military since 1968.
The new variant is intended to improve the nuclear capabilities of the US Air Force and allied nations and can be launched by platforms such as the B-2A, F-15E, F-16C/D, F-16 MLU, PA-200, F-35, and B-21.
At 12 feet long and with an approximate weight of 825lb, the bomb can fit inside the internal weapons bay of the platforms, meaning that the F-35 would not sacrifice its stealth capabilities by carrying it
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