U.S. Air Force Hits It's First Drone In 'Kill Test'

An F-35A conducts testing with an AIM-9X over the skies of Calfornia. Source: F-35 Joint Program Office

DoD Buzz: Air Force F-35 Hits Drone with Sidewinder Missile in ‘Kill’ Test

The Air Force variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter passed another key test days ago, deploying an AIM-9X missile while in flight to hit a drone over a military test range, officials with the Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office said.

The test with the F-35A was conducted off the California coast July 28, Joint Program Office spokesman Joe DellaVedova said in a news release.

The Raytheon-made AIM-9X Sidewinder missile was launched from the Lockheed Martin-made aircraft’s external wing in the test. The F-35 was able to complete a series of complex steps to track and target the drone, including identifying the object with mission systems sensors; communicating with the missile; giving the pilot, Air Force Maj. Raven LeClair the change to confirm the targeting information using the high-tech F-35 helmet mounted display, and launching the missile to engage the target, according to the release.

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Update #1: F-35A completes first live air-to-air ‘kill’ test -- Edwards Air Force Base
Update #2: F-35A takes down target drone (Flight Global)

WNU Editor: Other F-35 problems continue to pop-up .... F-35 targeting system laser will be 'almost impossible' to use in UK (The Register)