Forum: F-35 Armament, Stores and Tactics

Good for Terma...

And yes to Spud, wise guy, Wink

I've previously conjectured and recommended here and on other discussion boards in the past that Terma in particular, could/should adapt their cannon pod into a dedicated large-aperture IRST pod as well... (something which could better ensure the F-35 a competitive edge in terms of BVR situational awareness vs other existing platforms, which do and can operate the large-aperture LW IRST)

Whereas, something extra to the current suite of F-35 systems will most likely be needed to better passively search for and detect other emerging LO targets (also flying passively or in high-EW environments) at extended ranges in the future.

And futhermore yep, perhaps to include something even superior (size-wise and enhanced resolution-wise) to LM's current 9.2 inch IRST-aperture available for legacy jets... eg something in the 270mm-280mm (?) aperture class could likely still fit within a tactical sized pod, if not the standard aperture class. Thumb

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Mo' Pictjas here: http://theaviationist.com/2012/07/10/fi ... ssion-pod/

http://cencio4.files.wordpress.com/2012 ... &h=689

http://www.f-16.net/attachments/clipboard03_440_372.jpg
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geogen wrote:

And yes to Spud, wise guy, Wink

Sorry

You know what they say about low hanging fruit.

Speaking of Farnborough, lots of really good video from the Farnborough Air Show. The F18 (Tue) and A380 (Tue) and 787 are well filmed and worth watching full screen. You'll really get an appreciation of what beautiful and impressive aircraft these all are.

http://www.youtube.com/user/airboyd

Cheers

How many lb of fuel can you put in it? Can it be dropped?

Hmm I'm at farnborough and had a look at this pod (they also have an powered f16 cockpit to play with).

I can't help but think, together with a LO external fuel design this could have an application as a stealth buddy refueller for longer range first strike capability?

Andy

boff180 wrote:

Hmm I'm at farnborough and had a look at this pod (they also have an powered f16 cockpit to play with).

I can't help but think, together with a LO external fuel design this could have an application as a stealth buddy refueller for longer range first strike capability?

Andy

Only if the F35 can give away it's own gas I'd have thought - otherwise, you'd be better off fitting drop tanks to the strikers and getting them to just dump them as per usual. Basically I don't think this thing can hold that much fuel once you put a hose and drogue unit with the associated gubbins in there.

Even if you could, do you really want to be doing buddy buddy refuelling in contested airspace over air defences?

By LO external fuel I mean specifically designed external tanks to compliment the pod.

The buddy need not be in contested airspace but close enough to it to allow for deeper penetration (Oo er misses) of enemy airspace.

With the buddy being stealthy itself, there is no need for a significant protection package to be in place to defend the buddy refueller.

Andy

stobiewan-

Not to jump your case, but I see a mistake in your thinking that a lot of people here tend to make. Though they may be called "drop tanks" in the media, they are not dropped very often. Pilots have to explain why they dropped the expensive tank into the ocean, desert jungle, ect. Generally missions are not planned with dropping tanks as a part of the mission.

I think this misconceptuion comes from two things:
1. In World War II, drop tanks were really used as drop tanks, the pilot would jettison the tank before entering a dog fight.
2. Movies like Behind Enemy Lines show pilots dropping tanks in combat from modern aircraft (then the tank burst in to a fireball, which is an entirely different issue).

Sufa Viper

Interesting that Lockheed-Martin is stressing that this is a multiple use external pod and not just an external gun pod. It makes sense with stealth and testing to reuse the same shape, just peaked my interest. And yes as my General Robin Olds quote suggests I really HATE that the F-35B & C don't have an internal gun. The F-35C carrier version especially (I can kinda understand the F-35B with S.T.O.V.L. weight concerns and the Marines using it for ground support, relaying on F-35C & F/A-18E/F's for air cover). Shrug

The 2012 USN/USMC vision of the future in 2032 shows this to replace EA-6B, F/A-18A/C/D & AV-8B:

http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/nae/V ... Vision.pdf

Looks big enough to store your helmet bag when off to see your girlfriend for the weekend Smile

For the baggage: F-35 Weapon System Overview 19 May 2010

Doug Hayward | Deputy Director F-35 Vehicle Systems | Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2010armament/T ... ayward.pdf (4.2Mb)

How big is this pod that it cannot go internal?

Forum: F-35 Armament, Stores and Tactics

Terma displays F-35 multi-mission pod at Farnborough