6 AMRAAM Loadout moved up to Block 4

doge · by **doge** » 29 Jul 2018, 07:42

A similar old CG video with AMRAAM on the outer door.
https://youtu.be/z2M1YMqXYTI?t=52

Is the internal 6x Meteor possible? (I want to pray that it's possible...!

)

Israel Stunner is smaller fin than AMRAAM.
If Stunner, Is the internal 8x Stunner possible? (I saw such an article before.)

I love the imagine of F-35 internal AAM increase... :drool:

ricnunes · by **ricnunes** » 29 Jul 2018, 19:30

Regarding the possible/potential "staggered internal AMRAAM" release/ejection issues, how about a Rotary launcher in the lines of the ones found on the B-1 for example?

SpudmanWP · by **SpudmanWP** » 29 Jul 2018, 20:02

Not enough space since you would need vertical & horizontal space for 2 AMRAAMs, 2 Ejectors, and the rotating mechanism.

elvis1 · by **elvis1** » 29 Jul 2018, 23:08

I am wondering if something like AMBER would fit. These two missiles are not staggered, but if they were staggered relative to the door-mounted missile. Or perhaps they could be staggered on something similar to AMBER.

I think this is the published US Patent Application for the Boeing AMBER System (attached).

USApp20170259919.pdf: Boeing AMBER Patent; (733.93 KiB) Downloaded 417 times

eloise · by **eloise** » 30 Jul 2018, 03:16

station 1/11 have stealth rail and pylon

: stealth pylon.png (557 KiB) Viewed 55451 times

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 30 Jul 2018, 03:21

The above graphic/text from page 11/12 of F-35 Weapons Design Integration: download/file.php?id=27745 (PDF 2.6Mb)

ricnunes · by **ricnunes** » 30 Jul 2018, 03:30

Good points on the Rotary launcher.

Perhaps an another solution which seems to be in line with what was mentioned earlier - the staggered internal (dual) AMRAAMs - would be to adapt the proposed AMRAAM TER pylon for the F-16V by modifying it into a Dual AMRAAM Rack. Basically you would keep only one of the "sideways" AMRAAMs while the other would be "cut out" and couple it with the center and lower AMRAAM.

If the F-16V can work with AMRAAM TER pylon without separation/ejection issues than such a modified TER (to a Dual Rack) shouldn't have any separation/ejection issues as well.

element1loop · by **element1loop** » 30 Jul 2018, 05:25

One upside of less internal AAMs is that it becomes much more difficult to propose any reduction in airframes due to the low numbers and availability of F-22As. This maybe a problem with a viable physical solution but frankly, it may be better to solve it later, in Blocks 6 or 7 (thus providing 15 to 20 years to perfect a new missile combo, and a fighter DIRCM and tactics).

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 30 Jul 2018, 05:28

Honestly, they have the space. Just the question of making it work. Yet, I have little doubt that they can with time...

operaaperta · by **operaaperta** » 30 Jul 2018, 10:26

From the Weapons Design Integration paper, p20

To further enhance future growth capabilities, we assessed current and future developmental weapons that could enhance weapon system effectiveness. Additional volume reserves were identified, and we are modifying the weapons bays to accommodate the new weapon volume, where required..

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 30 Jul 2018, 10:40

operaaperta wrote:From the Weapons Design Integration paper, p20

To further enhance future growth capabilities, we assessed current and future developmental weapons that could enhance weapon system effectiveness. Additional volume reserves were identified, and we are modifying the weapons bays to accommodate the new weapon volume, where required..

That "could" apply to the six internal Air to Air Missiles.

Dragon029 · by **Dragon029** » 31 Jul 2018, 04:43

operaaperta wrote:From the Weapons Design Integration paper, p20

To further enhance future growth capabilities, we assessed current and future developmental weapons that could enhance weapon system effectiveness. Additional volume reserves were identified, and we are modifying the weapons bays to accommodate the new weapon volume, where required..

I think that quote might be primarily directed towards the SDB II, which will fit into all 3 variant's bays, but requires some wiring brackets and hydraulic lines to be moved in the B variant to provide sufficient clearance.

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 31 Jul 2018, 05:33

Agree. JPO has been clear about the mods required for SDB II in the past.

garrya · by **garrya** » 31 Jul 2018, 08:43

doge wrote:A similar old CG video with AMRAAM on the outer door.
https://youtu.be/z2M1YMqXYTI?t=52
F-35 outer door AMRAAM.jpg

I just realized something, if the pair of extra AIM-120s are on the bay door, does that mean in theory, F-35 can carry 4 AIM-120 and 8 SDB at the same time ?

SpudmanWP · by **SpudmanWP** » 31 Jul 2018, 15:58

No... Any outer-door mounted munition would stow into the same space occupied by the A2G station weapon.