An F-35A strike fighter completed the aircraft type's first in-flight launch
of an AIM-120 air-to-air missile on June 5, 2013, announced testers at Edwards
AFB, Calif. The launch of the AIM-120C5 instrumented air vehicle from test
aircraft AF-1 took place over the Point Mugu Sea Test Range, paving the way for
targeted launches later this year, they said.
Here, the AIM-120's engine fires after its release from AF-1.
Lockheed Martin photo by Matthew Short
