The F-35 achieved a milestone at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, in September 2021. Two F-35As executed a Full Weapon System Demonstration, which is considered the ‘graduation’ flight test exercise to achieve nuclear certification from an air-delivered platform. A fifth generation Dual Capable Aircraft jet with this capability greatly strengthens the U.S.'s nuclear deterrence mission. This event was the culmination of years of planning and lead-up flight test activities, and involved numerous organizations across the Department of Defense and Department of Energy. The F-35As released the inert weapons at varying altitudes and airspeeds to clear the desired flight envelope for F-35A operations. (Read more...)