An F-35 completed a ripple release of eight Small Diameter Bombs on Oct. 15, 2026, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine. The test, conducted at an undisclosed location, demonstrated the aircraft’s ability to release multiple precision-guided bombs in rapid succession.
The ripple release involved the F-35 dropping eight Small Diameter Bombs in quick succession. The test marks a significant step in validating the F-35’s ability to engage multiple targets in a single pass, a capability that enhances its combat effectiveness.
The Small Diameter Bomb is a precision-guided, 250-pound-class weapon designed to minimize collateral damage while providing accurate strikes against a variety of targets.
The test was part of ongoing efforts to integrate and validate new weapons on the F-35 platform, according to the report. The successful ripple release demonstrates the aircraft’s maturity and its ability to employ a wider range of munitions in combat scenarios.
This milestone follows other recent Marine Corps modernization efforts, including the re-designation of 1st Battalion, 10th Marines as the service’s first medium missile battalion on Oct. 9, 2026, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. That unit now operates the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), a ground-based anti-ship missile capability, as part of the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 plan.
The ability to deliver multiple bombs in quick succession allows pilots to engage multiple targets efficiently, reducing the time and exposure required to complete strike missions.
Sources: DVIDS News · DVIDS News