Lockheed F-35 AF Variant Launches Missile During Test Flight

Lockheed Martin‘s F-35 variant for the Air Force launched a missile while in flight during a trial run over a Point Mugu, Calif. sea test range Wednesday.

This represents the first time the F-35’s conventional takeoff and landing variant carried out a launch-to-eject sequence with the AIM-120 missile , the Air Force said Thursday.

“It’s a testament to the entire military-industry test team,” said Lt. Col. George Schwartz, F-35 integrated test force director.

“They’ve worked thousands and thousands of hours to get to the point where we are today,” he said.

The F-35A is designed with a load capacity of up to 18,000 pounds on 10 weapon stations and contains three external weapon terminals per wing.