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StolichnayaStrafer wrote:
With its previous operations of the AV-8A and AV-8B Harriers, it is understandable that the USMC would want to have the cannon as a pod option instead of being fixed internally. However, why is the Naval variant using the pod option as well- to save weight?
I was also wondering- if carrying an external gun pod, would that possibly degrade the stealth capability?
On the Harrier, the gun is external, because that's the only place it would fit. Plus, on the AV-8B, it also serves as part of the Lift Improvement Devices. For both the USN and the USMC F-35s, they looked at the considerable penalties of an internal gun and decided it wasn't worth the trouble. It's not a very effective air-to-air weapon (I know I'll get grief over that) and for a lot of missions, the ability to strafe isn't essential. So, they decided just carry it when you need it.
As far as stealthy goes, although the pod is designed to reduce radar return vs a conventional gun pod, as you can see from this picture of an F-35B rigged for a/g with an external load (note inset of gun pod), stealth is not that important a consideration. |
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