For all its sophistication, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter of the U.S. Air Force can't hit a moving ground target with a missile unless the pilot manually directs the missile onto the target.

A key first step towards solving this "moving target problem" was recently taken when a U.S. Air Force F-35C hit a moving small pick-up truck with an inert GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II laser guided bomb without the pilot guiding the bomb.

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The first-of-its-kind test of this specially designed smart bomb was also the first test of the "3F software configuration" that automated the targeting process and reduced pilot workload.

"The ability to hit a moving target is a key capability that we need in current close-air support fight, and the GBU-49 is a great solution for the F-35 and, frankly, for all of our legacy platforms to hit these moving targets," said Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, Director, F-35 Integration Office.

The GBU-49 has what's called a "lead-laser capability" meaning it doesn't need to rely on the electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) for targeting data. All this bomb needs is a laser spot on the moving target and the bomb itself will produce the lead necessary to hit the moving target.

On the other hand, the 3F software configuration incorporates new release logic called "Lead Point Compute" to enhance effectiveness against moving targets. Lead Point Compute delays the release point of the weapon to ensure the weapon has the available "kinematics" (the features or properties of motion in an object) to guide to and reach the target at its future location.

The system evaluates the speed and direction of the target against the altitude and speed of the aircraft to determine the exact release.

The test of the GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II guided by the 3F software configuration took place at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in the California desert.

TagsLockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, U.S. Air Force, GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II laser guided bomb, Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, 3F software configuration, electro-optical targeting system, Lead Point Compute