DOD Accelerates Weapons Integration Into Air Force JSF Variant

摘要

The Defense Department is accelerating weapons integration on the F-35A and plans to outfit the Block 2B -previously slated to carry no ordnance ~ with precision-guided bombs, a move the Joint Strike Fighter joint program office says is part of a plan to "reduce program risk" and allow the early Air Force variant to be rebranded as an "initial warfighting" configuration. The Air Force's conventional-takeoff-and-landing variant with Block 2B software - originally slated to a limited flight envelope and to include basic mission systems only — is now expected to carry Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and be capable of providing close air support, initial air-to-air engagements and have datalink capabilities, according to Joe Dellavedova, a spokesman for the F-3S joint program office.