The F-35 Thread

[SkateZilla]

Block 5 all together is supposed to carry 16 AIM120s

[The Black Swan]

Block 5 all together is supposed to carry 16 AIM120s

 

!!! Whoa what? .... forget the need to dogfight then...

 

(Jk)

[Esac_mirmidon]

I count 12.

 

[SkateZilla]

I count 12.

 

 

That image is from 2010 or Earlier.

 

 

Block 5 Supports:

-6 Internal AIM-120s,

-6 Per Wing (4x AIM-120 LAU127 Launcher Adapter on Inboard and Dual LAU127 Launcher Adapter on Midboard (and AIM-9X on Outboard)

 

6 Internal + 8 inboard + 4 Midboard = 18 AMRAAM

[Esac_mirmidon]

But at a no stealthy cost.

 

Anyway 6 internal is great, more than enough for the F-35 missions.

[Pilotasso]

more realistically the load will be 2 AIM9-X (with LOAL) and 4 AIM120's.

[Darkbrotherhood7]

The F-35 cannot carry the AIM-9X internally, so that's why Raytheon/Lockheed Martim is creating the CUDA missile.

 

The CUDA project is meant to replace the AIM-9, it would have medium range, radar guided and IR guided for terminal flight.

 

The CUDA has half of the AMRAAM size, it would allow the F-35 to have 12 CUDAs missiles internally.

 

https://theaviationist.com/2012/11/30/cuda/

Edited November 8, 2016 by Darkbrotherhood7

[SkateZilla]

The F-35 cannot carry the AIM-9X internally, so that's why Raytheon/Lockheed Martim is creating the CUDA missile.

 

The CUDA project is meant to replace the AIM-9, it would have medium range, radar guided and IR guided for terminal flight.

 

The CUDA has half of the AMRAAM size, it would allow the F-35 to have 12 CUDAs missiles internally.

 

https://theaviationist.com/2012/11/30/cuda/

 

F-35 Currently Carries AIM-9X on Outboard Wing Pylons,

 

F-35 Is Wired for ASRAAM for Exports internally and externally via LOAL..

 

LOAL Allows Other Sensors to Lock while the Missile is Still in the Bay, and then after launched turn over sensor lock to the missile seeker,

 

ASRAAM Supports LOAL,

 

AIM-X Block II Supports LOAL. and AIM-9X Block III will Support LOAL

 

F-35 Can Carry the Missile internally, however if it's not a Block II, it will not be able to lock target.

Edited November 8, 2016 by SkateZilla

[Darkbrotherhood7]

So the F-35 will be able to carry the AIM-9X internally in the future blocks?

[Hummingbird]

As I see it the biggest advantage the F-35 has compared to the competition is as a strike aircraft, as a fighter I'm not convinced about its capabilites, esp. if it comes down to WVR.

 

But the fact that you can carry 2x 1,000 lbs bombs + 2x AMRAAMs in a clean configuration I can see as being quite useful - just not for my country :P

[Darkbrotherhood7]

People keep saying the F-35 can't dogfight, but no one can prove it, no has any -1 chart.

 

IMHO, the strongest point of the F-35, is data-fusion. You everything happening around you, I really like this concept.

 

Plus, the F-35 has the BARRACUDA EW suite, it allows the F-35 to use its jammer not only for self-defense, but also to attack.

[SkateZilla]

So the F-35 will be able to carry the AIM-9X internally in the future blocks?

 

The only thing stopping internal AIM-9X use was the LOAL Ability and the Delayed Booster/Free Fall Launch Mode.

 

2 Things the ASRAAM already has and is being used by Export Variants

[Hummingbird]

People keep saying the F-35 can't dogfight, but no one can prove it, no has any -1 chart.

 

True, but there are some pretty strong indications that beyond a high nose authority (which itself isn't without importance) its sustained performance is going to be limited.

 

IMHO, the strongest point of the F-35, is data-fusion. You everything happening around you, I really like this concept.

 

Plus, the F-35 has the BARRACUDA EW suite, it allows the F-35 to use its jammer not only for self-defense, but also to attack.

 

I agree completely, this combined with its stealth characterisitcs is what I believe is going to make it an excellent strike aircraft IMHO.

Edited November 8, 2016 by Hummingbird

[SkateZilla]

People keep saying the F-35 can't dogfight, but no one can prove it, no has any -1 chart.

 

IMHO, the strongest point of the F-35, is data-fusion. You everything happening around you, I really like this concept.

 

Plus, the F-35 has the BARRACUDA EW suite, it allows the F-35 to use its jammer not only for self-defense, but also to attack.

 

It's not designed to get into a turning fight, it's designed to attack and evade, attack and evade, and engage in High Energy Fights.

[Darkbrotherhood7]

True, but there are some pretty strong indications that beyond a high nose authority (which itself isn't without importance) its sustained performance is going to be limited.

 

It depends, the F-35A is limited to 7Gs till like 2018, so it might affected the dogfight reports.

 

It's not designed to get into a turning fight, it's designed to attack and evade, attack and evade, and engage in High Energy Fights.

 

Agreed, however, does it means that the F-35 can't dogfight? Dogfight is very relative IMHO, as a quick example, I can easily find videos of Tomcats "killing" Hornets or Migs during simulated dogfights, but does it mean the Tomcat is a better dogfighter? Hell no, it just means the Tomcat can win, I believe same applies to the F-35.

[Tirak]

True, but there are some pretty strong indications that beyond a high nose authority (which itself isn't without importance) its sustained performance is going to be limited.

 

Considering that's the F-18s claim to fame when it comes to dogfighting...

[Eddie]

You don't need to dogfight, you need to kill or evade the enemy and reach your target in order to employ ordnance. Modern weaponry reduces the reliance on pure aircraft turning ability.

 

Having played with the F-35 avionics demonstrator I have no doubt whatsoever it's not only able to do what is described but also a lot that isn't. It's the weapon system as a whole that matters, not how each individual element of it apppears on paper.

[Vitormouraa]

F-35 does not need to go into a dogfight, but if it does, it must do that job of shooting down the enemy. And I'm sure it will.

[SkateZilla]

Considering AiM-9X + Sensor Suite Allow 360 Firing Capability.

[Vitormouraa]

F-35 is very impressive..

[Hummingbird]

Agreed, however, does it means that the F-35 can't dogfight? Dogfight is very relative IMHO, as a quick example, I can easily find videos of Tomcats "killing" Hornets or Migs during simulated dogfights, but does it mean the Tomcat is a better dogfighter? Hell no, it just means the Tomcat can win, I believe same applies to the F-35.

 

Not a good example since the F-14 actually is a better dogfighter, EM charts prove that :) The Tomcat is one of the best turning jets the US has ever fielded.

Edited November 8, 2016 by Hummingbird

[Hummingbird]

Considering that's the F-18s claim to fame when it comes to dogfighting...

 

Common misconception is that the Hornet doesn't do good in sustained turns, the French comparisons (which are based on Swiss reports AFAIK) puts it close to the F-16 when outfitted for the interceptor role, which is the loadout the Swiss most commonly operate the Hornet with (on top of a 9G rated fused wing).

 

For comparison purposes a legacy hornet with three fuel bags + 2x AIM-9 & AIM-120's will match the sustained turn of a clean F-4E at ~10 deg/sec @ 15 kft, and the F-16C with the same load out will do ~11 deg/sec at the same alt. So the difference is slight. Add to that the exceptional nose authority of the Hornet and you can understand how it's no slouch in a dogfight.

Edited November 8, 2016 by Hummingbird

[Sweep]

For comparison purposes a legacy hornet with three fuel bags + 2x AIM-9 & AIM-120's will match the sustained turn of a clean F-4E at ~10 deg/sec @ 15 kft, and the F-16C with the same load out will do ~11 deg/sec at the same alt. So the difference is slight. Add to that the exceptional nose authority of the Hornet and you can understand how it's no slouch in a dogfight.

 

But why would you be in a level rate fight at 15k?

[Tirak]

But why would you be in a level rate fight at 15k?

 

With 3 tanks no less...

[Darkbrotherhood7]

Not a good example since the F-14 actually is a better dogfighter, EM charts prove that :) The Tomcat is one of the best turning jets the US has ever fielded.

 

I know the Tomcat has a better turn rate, but dogfight is not just turning rate. :)

 

But yeah, you're right, it is not a good example, but you got the point, don't you?