Fed: 7th JSF takes to the skies

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2010
Fed: 7th JSF takes to the skies

CANBERRA, April 22 AAP - A seventh Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has taken to the skies
over the United States to start testing the aircraft's full weapons system.

The jet, known as AF-2, took off from Fort Worth and flew for an hour this week.

JSF manufacturer aerospace company Lockheed Martin said this was a significant step
for the program as it is configured to test and verify JSF's various weapons loads.

Lockheed's US air force program manager James Sandstrom said AF-2 would be used to
verify the aircraft's ability to carry both internal and external weapons though all stages
of flight.

This is also the first JSF to have the internal 25-millimetre gun system installed.

This is a four-barrel Gatling gun which fires at a rate of 3,000 rounds per minute.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning JSF is an advanced stealthy multi-role combat aircraft
that will be the mainstay of US and allied air forces to around mid-century.

Australia will acquire up to 100 aircraft, with the first entering service in 2018.

The JSF project has faced frequent criticism that the aircraft will be expensive, will
arrive late and won't be as good as promised.

During the weapons test program AF-2 will fire its gun to confirm predictions of the
extent of vibration and recoil while carrying various weapon loads.

As well, the aircraft will be tested for vibration with weapons bay doors open and
closed while carrying various weapon configurations.

JSF is designed to carry a range of missiles and bombs internally to maximise stealth
capability and can launch air-to-air missiles at supersonic speeds.

For missions in which stealth is not required, JSF can carry almost eight tonnes of
bombs and missiles on six underwing pylons.

AAP mb/maur

KEYWORD: FIGHTER

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