The Marine Corps unit that will first fly the service’s version of the F-35 as an operational aircraft in late June launched live ordnance from the aircraft.
From June 22-26, 14 pilots from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 flew sorties in six F-35Bs on which they deployed both inert and high-explosive munitions, a first for the squadron and the aircraft. Flying from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, the ordnance was dropped on a restricted range in southeastern California.
A total of 18 guided bomb unit (GBU) 12 Paveway II 500-pound bombs and 12 GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) were deployed during the training, according to the Marine Corps.
“The training was hugely successful,” Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Beard, VMFA-121’s ordnance officer was quoted as saying. “We showed that we could employ the weapons that were supposed to be employed, and that we have sound weapon employment systems at this point.”
The weapons are the same type carried by legacy Marine Corps aircraft like the AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, but the F-35 has different hardware and software for both release of the weapons and targeting, the service said.
Dropping bombs is one of the prerequisites set by Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lt. Gen. Jon Davis for declaring initial operational capability (IOC).
VMFA-121 is set to undergo an operational readiness inspection beginning this week in preparation for IOC. The results of that inspection, which will analyze manpower, aircraft capability, maintenance infrastructure and sortie rates, among other metrics, will be forwarded to Davis for approval and an eventual IOC declaration.
The squadron should have at least 10 F-35Bs, which are capable of short-takeoffs and vertical landings, before the declaration.
“The ordnance employment was one of the last pieces the squadron needed for the IOC declaration,” Maj. Brendan Walsh, VMFA-121 operations officer and pilot, was quoted as saying. “This training validated the simulated procedures pilots have been training for, and gave us confidence in the jet’s ability to perform with real weaponry.”
Outfitted with an intermediate version of the software that makes the F-35 a fifth-generation aircraft, the F-35B will be capable of carrying a small variety of weapons when declared combat ready because the software is not capable of launching and targeting certain missiles and bombs. The version of the pilot helmet Marines initially will fly with does not allow the pilot to turn his head, aim a weapon through the helmet and fire at an enemy without pointing the aircraft at the target.
Later versions will be outfitted with improved processing hardware, the latest version of the pilot helmet and the final software load that will allow for a broader weapons load, including an optional belly-mounted cannon pod.