An unmodified US Marine Corps F-35B successfully demonstrated integration with the Navy’s Aegis Combat System in a live fire missile test Monday at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Acting as an elevated sensor, the F-35 detected an over-the-horizon threat and relayed data to a ground launch facility, which accurately fired on the target. The aircraft is based at the Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX-1) at Edwards AFB, Fla . The exercise demonstrated the advanced sensor capabilities of the F-35 as well as its ability to partner with existing systems. “This test represents the start of our exploration into the interoperability of the F-35B with other naval assets,” said Lt. Col. Richard Rusnok, VMX-1 F-35B detachment officer in charge, in a press release. “We believe the F-35B will drastically increase the situational awareness and lethality of the naval forces with which it will deploy in the very near future,” he added. (See also: F-35 Lightning Unleashed from the September issue of Air Force Magazine.)
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
