RTX has announced the successful test launches of its StormBreaker precision-strike standoff weapon on the F-35C Lightning II fighter jet.
The company said in a press release that the smart weapon underwent 28 tests in 2023, half of which were conducted from the Lockheed Martin aircraft.
The StormBreaker reportedly achieved a 100 percent strike rate on 14 of 14 planned launches from the F-35C, highlighting its high compatibility.
Company official Paul Ferraro suggested that these positive results reflect the munition’s reputation as a trusted, network-enabled weapon that can keep soldiers out of harm’s way.
“StormBreaker’s unique capabilities position it as the right choice for multiple generations of weapons systems,” he added.
Apart from the F-35C, the guided weapon was also tested from the F/A-18E Super Hornet, F-15E Strike Eagle, and F-35B Lightning II warplanes.
‘An Upper Hand in Combat’
The StormBreaker is an air-launched weapon capable of hitting moving and stationary targets, even in adverse weather conditions.
It can autonomously detect and classify targets in poor visibility, giving operators an upper hand in combat.
The bomb uses a Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System to guide itself toward the general vicinity of enemy assets.
Its tri-mode seeker helps the weapon to accurately strike its targets.
“The weapon has the capability to receive updated target coordinates mid-flight… [allowing] airborne or ground controllers the ability to send in-flight target updates,” the manufacturer stated.
According to RTX vice president and former F-16 pilot Jon Norman, four aircraft equipped with the StormBreaker munitions would be enough to take out an entire column of tanks.
