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22 mars 2013 5 22 /03 /mars /2013 13:20

f-35_armament.jpg

 

21.03.2013 DefenceIQ

 

The F-35 is the most advanced fighter in the world and the U.S. DoD’s largest acquisition programme in history. Depending on the variant, the F-35 can carry a weapons payload of 15,000 or 18,000 pounds. Weapons on the 5thGeneration joint Strike Fighter aircraft include guided bombs and air-to-air missiles and is being designed to carry them either internally, for stealth purposes, or externally. The F-35A variant also boasts a 25mm internal cannon, which is mounted internally with 182 rounds, though the B and C variants can have it mounted on an external pod with 220 rounds.  A detailed overview of the weapons carriage requirements can be seen above.

 

Last autumn the F-35A variant began the integration phase of weapons testing the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft successfully completed the first in-flight test with an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile. It also completed the first in-flight weapons release of a 2,000 pound GBU-31 BLU-109 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). A video of the weapons drop can bee seen below.

 



The F-35A 5th Generation fighter is designed to carry a payload of up to 18,000 pounds using 10 weapon stations. The F-35A features four internal weapon stations located in two weapon bays to maximize stealth capability. The CTOL aircraft can also utilize an additional three external weapon stations per wing if required.

Further, here are some frequently asked questions about the F-35’s weapons integration from the official website…

 

How many internal air-to-air missiles will the F-35 carry? Will the weapons bays be designed to carry six AAMRAAMs?


Four internal air-to-air missiles is the current requirement and capability. New, smaller developmental weapons and suspension and release equipment may increase the capacity in follow-on development, but no firm weapons and suspension and release equipment candidates to accomplish this have been identified to date.

 

Why does the F-35B open its internal weapons bay doors when in STOVL mode?


The weapons bay doors open because they are used as a Lift Improvement Device (LID) to help channel and funnel the air to improve the air cushion the jet is riding on during the STOVL landing operation. The doors open to help capture the air cushion between them, as if you were cupping your hands to prevent the air from dispersing in every direction.

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