05/10/2007
F-22 first bomb attack
The F-22 Raptor Combined Test Force staff conducted the first airborne separation of a small diameter bomb from the internal weapons bay of an F-22 during a September test mission here.
-This is a major milestone for the F-22 modernization roadmap,- said Lt. Col. Daniel Daetz, the 411th Flight Test Squadron commander.
The drop was made to ensure the small diameter bomb, or SDB, would have a clean separation when released from the F-22.
Testing of the SDB with the F-22 is part of the Increment 3.1 upgrade to the aircraft, Major Fischer said.
Once the SDB is cleared for operational missions aboard the F-22, it will enable the aircraft to carry four times the weapons load, Major Fischer said. The F-22 can carry eight SDBs with two advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
The F-22 can carry 2 JDAM o 8 SDB internally and this is very important to mantain all the stealth capabilities of the aircraft.
As the F-22 was not originally designed for air-to ground operations, the USAF had to upgrade the Raptor to load weapons it was not designed to carry.
Source: USAF
