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U.S. F-35B Demonstrates High-Intensity Precision Strike Capacity with Eight Raytheon StormBreaker Smart Weapons
An F-35B released eight RTX Raytheon GBU-53/B StormBreaker weapons in rapid succession during a high-density precision-strike demonstration announced on September 15. StormBreaker combines millimetre-wave radar, imaging infrared and semi-active laser guidance to engage moving or stationary targets in adverse weather, giving the aircraft multiple target-engagement options from standoff range. The controlled event demonstrated release sequencing and carriage capacity for the short-take-off-and-vertical-landing fighter, but it should be treated as a weapons test rather than evidence that every F-35B operator has fielded the eight-weapon configuration operationally.