6 AMRAAM Loadout moved up to Block 4

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.

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.

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

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 ?

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

Thanks for that excellent picture SpudmanWP.

Looking at first glance at the picture that you posted, I'm starting to believe that putting the 3rd AMRAAM on the outer bay door for each weapon bay (bringing the total of 6 AMRAAMs) could perhaps be a feasible solution which IMO could solve any ejection/separation issues (for any of the 3 internal AMRAAMs on each bay).
Looking at the picture that you posted I can see/imagine 3 internal AMRAAMs per bay - one on the inner door (as already implemented), another on the "Air-to-Ground station" (also already implemented) and finally the third on the outer door which needs to be implemented but by looking at the inner door AMRAAM, putting another AMRAAM on the outer door seems feasible, at least IMO and at first glance while at the same time avoiding ejection/separation issues with the AMRAAM mounted on the "Air-to-Ground station".

Of course that such solution would only work for pure Air-to-Air loadouts/roles. But this I believe is what LM intends to anyway (regarding a 6 internal AMRAAM solution).

How about a removable adapter holding 2 AMRAAMs that plugs onto existing pneumatic launcher? Say 30Gs to eject a missile which is within missile tolerances with a single missile released per power stroke.

I think they should go full Transformers... and load the missiles onboard without fins. The fins are loaded separately and transformagically installed on each missile as it is prepared for launch. Since a Mk84 is 18" in diameter, and AIM-120's are only 7" in diameter, a really smart engineer should be able to design a rotary doohickey that puts like four AIM-120's on there. Another really smart engineer would design the robotic squirrel gizmos to attach the fins. Finally a third super smart aero engineer would wave her hands and pronounce that ejection of the missile poses no threat to the keep out volume of the weapons bay, nor the aircraft, over the entire flight regime and all manner of maneuvers. Walla... ten internal slammers...

I mean... why not!? We've got pichures of the inside of the weapons bays. We can do this! All that mamby schmambee yakkity yak about acoustic, vibe, and thermal environments is overrated. It's really just simple geometry. Will it fit? Yes!? Dynamics? Who cares(!?!) open the door and gravity does the rest. Aero environment of the open weapons bay during releaase? Meh. Buffet? What does this have to do with a food line anyway?

/SMH

@steve2267,

I couldn't stop to notice the sarcastic tone of your post (forgive me if I'm wrong but I don't think I am in this case).

This being said, I think that your sarcastic post was a bit inappropriate since and unless things changed recently, the capability to put 6 AMRAAMs inside both F-35 weapons bay (3 per bay) is something well planned and actually scheduled for Block 4 and not some "wet/wild dream".
Therefore giving the F-35 the capability to carry 6 AMRAAMs internally is not a matter of IF but a matter of WHEN or more precisely regarding the recent discussion here, a matter of WHERE. This being said, the objective of this recent "discussion" (at least in my perspective) is only to try to figure where the 3rd AMRAAM (for each bay) will be placed. Nothing more, nothing else...

Therefore giving the F-35 the capability to carry 6 AMRAAMs internally is not a matter of IF but a matter of WHEN or more precisely regarding the recent discussion here, a matter of WHERE.

I really hope that will happen bevor 2025.

He have for finals Blocks 3F and after a very large A2G weapons panoply !
and i have these eventuals weapons if one can say if Indeed he have or planned and for what block and internaly/externaly eventualy what variant thanks

GBU-10 LGB 907 kg
GBU-24 LGB 907 kg
GBU-16 LGB 454 kg
CBU-99/100 Cluster Bomb 227 Kg
CBU-105 Cluster Bomb GPS 454 kg

Also
How many SDBs to maximum ? internaly 8 but externaly 4 on each main HPs total 16 or 24 ?
What Block planned for AIM-9X internaly ?
1612 l FTs Block 4 ?
AGM-158C not planned right now but make sense USN have this very long stick possible externaly for Block 5 ?

Therefore giving the F-35 the capability to carry 6 AMRAAMs internally is not a matter of IF but a matter of WHEN or more precisely regarding the recent discussion here, a matter of WHERE.

I really hope that will happen bevor 2025.

Planned sure for Block 5 in 2024 and possible Block 4 for 2022
http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pa ... 202017/Let’s-Do-More-Shots.aspx

GBU-10, GBU-16 and GBU-24 were planned for external carriage, but there's no word on if they'll still be integrated or when.

CBU-99/100 and CBU-105 likely will not be integrated, as those bombs aren't manufactured any more.

How many SDBs to maximum ? internaly 8 but externaly 4 on each main HPs total 16 or 24 ?

Theoretically 24, but these are the only loadouts that are currently certified for operational use:



There has not been any separation testing of SDBs from external hardpoints.

What Block planned for AIM-9X internaly ?

AIM-9X internal storage is not planned; it would require developing a special launcher, or the AIM-9X would need to be upgraded to allow for ejection launches rather than just rail launches.

1612 l FTs Block 4 ?

426 gallon (1937L) EFTs have been under development, but they might not be included in Block 4.

AGM-158C not planned right now but make sense USN have this very long stick possible externaly for Block 5 ?

JASSM was planned for external storage, but it probably won't be integrated in Block 4; many other older platforms can safely launch JASSMs (particularly JASSM-ERs) from outside the range of SAMs and fighter patrols, with those JASSMs going after targets that F-35s locate and transmit the coordinates of. It might potentially be added in Block 5.

Planned sure for Block 5 in 2024 and possible Block 4 for 2022

Block 4 is not a single software release; it's planned to have releases occurring from 2021 to 2026, with even some notable software upgrades for the F-35 occurring beginning next year (in 2019 the F-35 is being upgraded with automatic ground collision avoidance).

Block 4 and these interim software upgrades will be getting delivered through the the C2D2 (Continuous Capability Development and Delivery) plan, where software releases will be occurring every 6 months (beginning later this year), hardware is upgraded or changed every 2 years (assuming there's something to be upgraded) and core processors, etc are refreshed every 8-10 years:



You can also see the 6 month cadence in this chart (in the lower part of the "Development" section):



Previously there was going to be a Block 4 and Block 5 in the early / mid-2020s, but then that changed into Block 4A and Block 4B (with Block 5 being vaguely planned to begin in the late 2020s; like in 2028 or something), then Block 4 was split up even more into Block 4.1, Block 4.2, Block 4.3 & Block 4.4, which were going to be released roughly every 1.5 years beginning in 2021. Then last year they announced the C2D2 plan and so now it's a little bit more vague as to what specific year a feature or weapon will be integrated.

Timeline:

Notice the loadouts still show AGM-154 only on C.