The Finnish Air Force has begun air-to-ground weapon testing for the F-18 Hornet fighter mid-life upgrade 2 (MLU2) project.

During the captive carry test, the MLU2 prototype performed its first flight for an hour and 29 minutes with the AGM-154C joint stand-off weapon (JSOW) glide bomb.

Effects of the JSOW on the aircraft’s flight properties and its in-flight integration were studied during the test.

The MLU2 Hornet upgrade includes the air-to-ground capability. It will attain operational status in the middle of the decade.

The upgrade is associated with the introduction of air-to-ground capabilities authorised by the Finnish Air Force in 2004.