RAPTOR BOMB DROP IS A SUPERSONIC FIRST.

Byline: Daily News

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - An Air Force F/A-22 Raptor fighter-bomber passed a test of its ability to drop a 1,000-pound ``smart bomb'' at supersonic speed.

The GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munition test bomb was dropped over a test range from an F/A-22 piloted by Maj. John Teichert of the 411th Flight Test Squadron.

Other aircraft have dropped the satellite-guided joint direct attack munition, or ``JDAM,'' bombs at subsonic speeds and the Raptor showed last year it could drop the bomb at supersonic speeds.

But this was the first drop of a JDAM from an internal bay, rather than from an exterior rack. Holding a bomb inside reduces the jet's image to enemy radar.

``Qualifying the Raptor to release GPS-guided bombs at supersonic speeds is a significant milestone for the program,'' Teichert said. ``Releasing a bomb under such conditions provides a notable increase in Raptor tactical capabilities.''

The Raptor is designed to fly high and fast, where it has an advantage against enemy missiles and aircraft. Dropping a bomb at supersonic speed lets the plane stay farther away from targets that could try to shoot it down.

``The speeds at which we will eventually release the JDAM over the next couple of weeks will far exceed any current aircraft's JDAM envelope,'' Teichert said.

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Photo:

An F/A-22 Raptor piloted by Maj. John Teichert releases a 1,000-pound bomb at supersonic speed for the first time near California's Panamint Mountain range.

U.S. Air Force