Let’s Do More Shots [3by3]

[spazsinbad]

Let’s Do More Shots
28 Mar 2017 John A. Tirpak

"​The F-35 program office is looking at adding capacity for another AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided air-to-air missile in each of the jet’s two weapons bays, increasing internal—and thus stealthy—missile loadout by 50 percent, program director Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan said March 22. Speaking with reporters after his speech at a McAleese/Credit Suisse conference in Washington, D.C., Bogdan said, “There is potential … to add a third missile on each side.”

The upgrade would likely be part of the Block IV program of F-35 enhancements, but “that’s something I know the services and all the partners” are interested in. Bogdan said this would not require some special version of AMRAAM, but “the same AMRAAM missiles that we carry today, just an extra one; probably on the weapons bay door.” The F-35 can carry two AMRAAMs in each bay now, or a mix of AMRAAMs and Joint Direct Attack Munitions internally. “There’s a lot of engineering work to go with that,” Bogdan cautioned, and he did not speculate on when such a change could be made."

Source: http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pa ... 202017/Let’s-Do-More-Shots.aspx

[popcorn]

but “the same AMRAAM missiles that we carry today, just an extra one; probably on the weapons bay door.”

Isn't the weapon station on the bay door already being used for the AMRAAM?

[bring_it_on]

Probably misspoke but what is important is that they may be looking at bringing the expanded weapons carriage ahead of what they had planned to do earlier. This is great news.

[krorvik]

Isn't the weapon station on the bay door already being used for the AMRAAM?

He probably refers to the second door I think.

[garrya]

Outer door ?

[krorvik]

Awful tight with the jdam. Might be a better fit with another amraam in that spot.

[spazsinbad]

Probably there is a better screenshot somewhere else on the forum however here is one from this video showing the SIX...

[kimjongnumbaun]

I thought 6 AIM-120s was always the planned capacity for Block 4.

[spazsinbad]

That would be the case: "...The upgrade would likely be part of the Block IV program of F-35 enhancements...." perhaps expedited from what OP indicates?

[count_to_10]

Isn't the weapon station on the bay door already being used for the AMRAAM?

He probably refers to the second door I think.

That's weird. If there is room for four SDBs in the A2G spot (with clearance to launch), there should be enough room for two AMRAAM there. Mounting another hardpoint on the outer door would probably require a lot of structure work and re-wiring.
Though maybe a sidewinder would fit on the door with everything else...

[steve2267]

He probably refers to the second door I think.

That's weird. If there is room for four SDBs in the A2G spot (with clearance to launch), there should be enough room for two AMRAAM there. Mounting another hardpoint on the outer door would probably require a lot of structure work and re-wiring.
Though maybe a sidewinder would fit on the door with everything else...

Another something (AMRAAM or Sidewinder) on the other door would most probably become a stores separation issue for anything carried where the JDAM is mounted in the above photo. Personally I don't think you have clearance for your JDAM-location weapons if you put a Sidewinder on the other door.

[tomcattech]

Good news, but I would think development of an internal trapeze for AIM-9X internal carriage would be just as important.

Maybe it is already in the plans for a future block I am unaware of?

[neptune]

Good news, but I would think development of an internal trapeze for AIM-9X internal carriage would be just as important.

Maybe it is already in the plans for a future block I am unaware of?

Why?, "The new Block II variant adds a redesigned fuze and a digital ignition safety device that enhances ground handling and in-flight safety. It also features updated electronics that enable significant enhancements, including lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) capability using a new weapon datalink to support beyond visual range engagements."

..if it is truly HOBS and LOAL why can't it simply be dropped (or kicked out) similar to other missiles and lock up a target when clear of the launch. No rail required!

[tomcattech]

Good news, but I would think development of an internal trapeze for AIM-9X internal carriage would be just as important.

Maybe it is already in the plans for a future block I am unaware of?

Why?, "The new Block II variant adds a redesigned fuze and a digital ignition safety device that enhances ground handling and in-flight safety. It also features updated electronics that enable significant enhancements, including lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) capability using a new weapon datalink to support beyond visual range engagements."

..if it is truly HOBS and LOAL why can't it simply be dropped (or kicked out) similar to other missiles and lock up a target when clear of the launch. No rail required!

If AIM-9X will have that capability I agree... however it makes one wonder the challenges a "dropped" weapon would face in a high G \ high alpha \ knife in a phone booth situation as compared to the standard "bottle rocket" off the rails send off.

There could be no real challenges at all... just thinking out loud.

[alloycowboy]

Good news, but I would think development of an internal trapeze for AIM-9X internal carriage would be just as important.

Maybe it is already in the plans for a future block I am unaware of?

Why?, "The new Block II variant adds a redesigned fuze and a digital ignition safety device that enhances ground handling and in-flight safety. It also features updated electronics that enable significant enhancements, including lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) capability using a new weapon datalink to support beyond visual range engagements."

..if it is truly HOBS and LOAL why can't it simply be dropped (or kicked out) similar to other missiles and lock up a target when clear of the launch. No rail required!

If AIM-9X will have that capability I agree... however it makes one wonder the challenges a "dropped" weapon would face in a high G \ high alpha \ knife in a phone booth situation as compared to the standard "bottle rocket" off the rails send off.

There could be no real challenges at all... just thinking out loud.

Also thinking out loud, if you got yourself in knife fight in a phone booth in an F-35 you did some thing seriously wrong.