Article Posted on : - Feb 22, 2012

A file photo.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (BNS): Lockheed Martin-built F-35 fighter jet has made its first flight with external weapon systems at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

The conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant of the F-35 supersonic stealth jet took to the sky on February 16, carrying two air-to-air AIM-9X missiles, two advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AIM-120) and two internal 2,000-pound guided bombs (GBU-31).

The jet had also mounted four external pylons that can carry 2000-pound air-to-ground weapons, Lockheed said.

No weapons were delivered during the mission.

The F-35B, dubbed as the world's first supersonic, radar evading stealth fighter with short take-off and landing capabilities, is being developed by Lockheed Martin with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

The warplane is being developed in three variants -- F-35A conventional take-off and landing variant, F-35B short take-off and vertical landing variant, and F-35C carrier variant -- which are set to replace the A-10 and F-16 fighters of the US Air Force, the F/A-18s of US Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-B Harriers of the US Marine Corps, and a number of fighters of at least nine other countries partnering in the programme.

However, marred by cost overruns and technical delays, the F-35 development has become the most expensive weapons programme in Pentagon's history.