The US Air Force has carried out the first dual external release of a GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition from an F-35 aircraft.
The test took place at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where two bombs targeted a remote-controlled high-speed moving target.
The bombs reached the target using a laser designator within the F-35’s Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS).
The EOTS is the first sensor suite to integrate forward-looking infrared and laser targeting to enhance situational awareness and improve GPS and laser-guided munition delivery.
The test also assessed the Stores Management System, which controls the aircraft’s loaded weapons, by evaluating its response to releasing multiple bombs in quick succession.
“This test demonstrates the F-35’s ability to accurately engage targets in a dynamic and challenging environment and highlights the advanced capabilities of the EOTS system,” the US Air Force said.
The GBU-54 is a precision-guided bomb that uses laser energy to strike both stationary and moving targets with accuracy.
It measures 93.7 inches (2.3 meters) in length, 17 inches (40 centimeters) in diameter, and weighs 500 pounds (225 kilograms).
After release, the bomb glides up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) toward the target, guided by GPS.
In the final phase, it adjusts its path with laser guidance to ensure precise impact, even if the target moves at high speeds.
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