The F-35 is known for its growing arsenal of precision air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, a 25mm cannon for close air support and an advanced suite of EW weapons … Soon, the F-35 will kill tanks.
An ability to track enemy configurations of armored vehicles with high-fidelity sensors and engage enemy ground targets from great stand-off ranges with precision air-to-ground weapons is well established for the F-35, yet the capacity to destroy heavy armor introduces substantial new tactical and strategic dynamics for the 5th-generation jet.
Stormbreaker
The tank-killing technology will arrive in the form of the fast-emerging Stormbreaker weapons, a first-of-its kind, air-launched precision weapon able to track and destroy moving targets from ranges as far as 40-nautical miles. Now, it’s firing from the F-35.
Stormbreaker-maker Raytheon reports that the F-35 is now testing with the Stormbreaker in anticipation of combat deployment.
The Stormbreaker brings unprecedented air-attack technology such as a tri-mode seeker enabling infrared, millimeter wave and semi-active laser guidance targeting options as well as a two-way data link allowing the weapons to adjust course in flight.
