F-35B and internal AAMs?

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 07 May 2013, 07:04

We heard that later blocks of F-35 will carry 6 internal AAMs. Yet, does that also include the F-35B will its smaller weapons bay?

delvo · by **delvo** » 07 May 2013, 12:34

They haven't said the dual AMRAAM carrier won't fit, and a lateral cut-away view of the bay published by a Norwegian company that's making a weapon for it implies that it will.

willhan · by **willhan** » 07 May 2013, 15:21

Yes.

Here's a screenshot from a LM Video.

It has Lift fan,roll control nozzles,and no tail hook, obviously B model.

count_to_10 · by **count_to_10** » 07 May 2013, 23:08

Good catch. I hadn't noticed, but there is the lift fan.

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 08 May 2013, 00:57

Yeah, I don't see the "Lift Fan" either?

count_to_10 · by **count_to_10** » 08 May 2013, 01:09

Corsair1963 wrote:Yeah, I don't see the "Lift Fan" either?

Look just in front of the tips of the missiles. You can see the vanes for the lift fan, as well as where the tuboshaft enters the fan housing.

delvo · by **delvo** » 08 May 2013, 02:12

Could you be getting thrown by the fact that the bottom of it is square, not round?

weasel1962 · by **weasel1962** » 08 May 2013, 02:31

Can't ignore the roll posts. The other 2 variants don't have that.

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 08 May 2013, 04:10

Well, looks like we need another source to confirm it?

delvo · by **delvo** » 08 May 2013, 04:39

Confirm what? That the GCI image of an F-35B, found in a Lock-Mart video, actually came from Lock-Mart?

battleshipagincourt · by **battleshipagincourt** » 08 May 2013, 20:57

While we're on this issue, does anyone know if the F-35 is expected to eventually carry internal AIM-9's? I know that it's limited only to the external hardpoints, but have they seriously considered mounting them internally for later block releases?

count_to_10 · by **count_to_10** » 08 May 2013, 23:45

battleshipagincourt wrote:While we're on this issue, does anyone know if the F-35 is expected to eventually carry internal AIM-9's? I know that it's limited only to the external hardpoints, but have they seriously considered mounting them internally for later block releases?

There are diagrams floating around of a trapeze set up that fits on the AtG hardpoint that moves the AIM-9 into the air stream. I don't really know if it is supposed to handle more than one, but I've only ever seen it with a single sidewinder.

aaam · by **aaam** » 13 May 2013, 18:03

I can't remember the source, but I did read documents that stated, given development of the launcher, that the F-35 A&C could carry eight AIM-120s internally, with the B carrying six. Had the JDRADM not be canceled, it went on to state that the F0-35 would be able to carry twice as many of them as could the F-22. This is because of the volume and shape of the F-35's weapons bays.

I also believe that the UK has a requirement to be able to carry ASRAAM internally, so that should indicate that it would be possible to do AIM-9 if someone wanted. . I believe Meteor is also scheduled for the F-35. Not sure if that missile would fit comfortably inside a Raptor, but since the chances of USAF acquiring it are well below slim, I doubt if anyone's seriously looked at it.

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 13 May 2013, 20:45

Italy and the F-35: The Program, the FACO and The Coming of the Meteor Missile 03 May 2013

"...RID: Sure, a big help could come from the integration on the aircraft of European armaments?

Gen.Debertolis: Absolutely yes. The fact that we can integrate the F-35 with non-US armaments would allow us to enter the aircraft’s heart itself.

Regarding this, the UK has already started to study METEOR’s integration and asked us to create a joint program with this main purpose. We are evaluating this opportunity and, above all, its costs. It’s an important investment, around €100 million euros per country….. 1

With the block four decision for software development of the F-35 to include the Meteor missile on the aircraft, the UK and Italian engagement with the F-35B club could lay a foundation for the other members as well. The Meteor also provides another advantage for the Italians who will operate both Eurofighters and F-35s.

The Meteor missile will be able to operate off of both platforms, providing a basis for anticipating the weapons carrying role for a very capable role for a non-stealth enabled aircraft in the years ahead...."

http://www.sldinfo.com/italy-and-the-f- ... r-missile/

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 14 May 2013, 04:28

spazsinbad wrote:Italy and the F-35: The Program, the FACO and The Coming of the Meteor Missile 03 May 2013
"...RID: Sure, a big help could come from the integration on the aircraft of European armaments?

Gen.Debertolis: Absolutely yes. The fact that we can integrate the F-35 with non-US armaments would allow us to enter the aircraft’s heart itself.

Regarding this, the UK has already started to study METEOR’s integration and asked us to create a joint program with this main purpose. We are evaluating this opportunity and, above all, its costs. It’s an important investment, around €100 million euros per country….. 1

With the block four decision for software development of the F-35 to include the Meteor missile on the aircraft, the UK and Italian engagement with the F-35B club could lay a foundation for the other members as well. The Meteor also provides another advantage for the Italians who will operate both Eurofighters and F-35s.

The Meteor missile will be able to operate off of both platforms, providing a basis for anticipating the weapons carrying role for a very capable role for a non-stealth enabled aircraft in the years ahead...."

http://www.sldinfo.com/italy-and-the-f- ... r-missile/

Yeah, another area often overlooked by the F-35 critics. Is all of the weapons likely to be intergraded with the Lightning. Giving future customers a long list of options!