March 11th, 2007
APA Update - F-22 Small Diameter Bomb Integration and Testing
This recent news video report released by the US Air Force shows
initial carriage testing of the latest GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb on
the F-22, as well as some footage from initial trial drops of the bomb.
The bomb has recently been deployed in Iraq on the F-15E fighter.
US planning sees the Small Diameter Bomb as the primary weapon
carried by fighter bombers, and both the F-22 and JSF will carry an
identical payload of eight of these weapons.
Public claims by Defence and the Minister that the F-22 is not an
effective bomber ignore current and past developments in the US, as evidenced by this video.
Dr Carlo Kopp, MIEEE, SMAIAA, PEng
Defence Analyst and Consulting Engineer
Editor: Air Power Australia @ http://www.ausairpower.net
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