StormBreaker Advances: Key Weapon Tests Propel F-35 Integration Forward
The United States Navy, in collaboration with Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a division of Raytheon Technologies, executed two StormBreaker® advanced weapon guided test vehicle deployments from an F-35B Lightning II at .9 Mach, marking the swiftest release to date from an F-35.
“No other deployed air-to-ground munition can achieve what StormBreaker accomplishes against intricate targets in contested scenarios,” mentioned Paul Ferraro, president of Air Power at Raytheon Missiles & Defense. “Trials like these continue to advance the integration of StormBreaker into fifth-generation platforms aiming to deliver this essential capability to U.S. and allied military personnel as promptly as possible.”
Throughout the assessments, the two munitions, launched within thirty minutes of each other, successfully deployed and exhibited the necessary flight characteristics. These two releases finalize a seven shot rate capture series, enabling the F-35B test initiative to progress to the weapon capability evaluation phase.
StormBreaker boasts an inventive multimode seeker and a robust, multi-effects warhead, facilitating highly adaptable and efficient target engagement against both dynamic and static targets over 45 miles away. The arsenal also offers an enhanced loadout in comparison to traditional munitions, creating prospects for addressing increased targets per sortie.
The U.S. Air Force announced Initial Operating Capability of StormBreaker on the F-15E Strike Eagle in 2022. The program’s integration roadmap encompasses further expansion to additional crewed and uncrewed platforms, including the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet.
