The testers at Edwards AFB, Calif., have begun integration testing for the use of the Small Diameter Bomb with the F-22 Raptor. The new stealth fighter can accommodate four SDBs and its BRU-61 carriage in each weapon bay for a total of eight small bombs and two Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles. Boeing flight test engineer Jeff Randolph, heading the SDB program at Edwards, says the 250-pound SDB is more practical for use in urban environments than older larger bombs.
President Donald Trump is interested in developing a twin-engined, upgraded version of the F-35 fighter, he said during a press event May 15 in Qatar marking the sale of Boeing airliners and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways. He said he would name the improved aircraft the “F-55” and also…