see faq the loadouts for the F-35 2B and 3F

[NytHawk]

1 hour ago, TotenDead said:

Classified documentation might be one

3F isn’t much more infeasible than the 2B. Most of its upgrades are just increments of 2B features.

I have yet to find many resources for AIM-9X employment for F-35s…

However ED continues to claim it is planned. I can imagine that ED has put considerable thought behind the development of the F35 before announcement. I would be borderline shocked if ED is unable to get dedicated access to public F35 simulator demonstrators and unable to obtain such seemingly basic functionality.

1 hour ago, TotenDead said:

Is that realistic? 

What does hybrid mean?

Edited Thursday at 11:06 AM by NytHawk

[TotenDead]

53 минуты назад, NytHawk сказал:

3F isn’t much more infeasible than the 2B. Most of its upgrades are just increments of 2B features.

Maybe. But we don't know if there's enough available documentation for that little difference 

53 минуты назад, NytHawk сказал:

I have yet to find many resources for AIM-9X employment for F-35s…

No info - no capability, that's easy

53 минуты назад, NytHawk сказал:

However ED continues to claim it is planned. I can imagine that ED has put considerable thought behind the development of the F35 before announcement.

Well, maybe. But let's not forget that even FAQ changed as the time passed

53 минуты назад, NytHawk сказал:

What does hybrid mean?

So, it isn't realistic

[NytHawk]

47 minutes ago, TotenDead said:

Maybe. But we don't know if there's enough available documentation for that little difference 

1. “We”? or you?

2. Except most of these incremental differences like FLCS restrictions, external weapons and SDB integration are all decently documented and integration is relatively self-explanatory (as is much of the F35s PVI)

 

47 minutes ago, TotenDead said:

No info - no capability, that's easy

We don’t know what information ED has access to.

Deka made a whole module largely based on official simulators on information only they had access to and it turned out fine.

47 minutes ago, TotenDead said:

So, it isn't realistic

All systems and other parameters implemented are accurate, just that the airframe isn’t any particular block.

 

 

Edited Thursday at 12:46 PM by NytHawk

[Silver_Dragon]

On 10/30/2025 at 12:42 PM, NytHawk said:

1. “We”? or you?

2. Except most of these incremental differences like FLCS restrictions, external weapons and SDB integration are all decently documented and integration is relatively self-explanatory (as is much of the F35s PVI)

We don’t know what information ED has access to.

Deka made a whole module largely based on official simulators on information only they had access to and it turned out fine.

All systems and other parameters implemented are accurate, just that the airframe isn’t any particular block.

We can discuss it all we want, but ultimately, the final decision on the F-35's capabilities rests with ED. And for now, the FAQ and the weapons options are what they are.

Quote

What weapons will be included? The complete weapons suite of a US F-35A in the 2015-time frame is planned. This includes the internal 25mm cannon, AIM-9X, AIM-120, GBU-31, GBU-32, and GBU-12. This list is subject to change during development. 

2015 the armament was very limited. The F-35A use SDBs on 2018...

F-35A Lightning II Fighter
Man Rtng: 5.0/3.5 Damage Value: 24
Size/Signature: Medium/VSmall Bombsight: Advanced
Counterm: 4th Gen J&D Inflight Refuel: B
Sensors: APG-81, 4th Gen ES/ELS, 4th Gen FLIR/IRST, laser designator, HMV, MADL, Link 16 data links

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 460 590 700
Med: 520 640 810
High: 580 690 920
Ceiling: 15240 m Engine Type: TF
Cruise Range: 970 nmi Int Fuel: 8260 kg
Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
600 USG drop tank 1840 kg 285 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 8165 kg
Off Guns: GAU-22 25mm (3.4)

• Can carry 2 AIM-9X-1 (Feb 18) or AIM-9X-2 (2021?) externally in all loadouts (Signature VSmall)
  • 4 AIM-120C-7 (internal)
  • 6 AIM-120D (internal 2025?, Sidekick launcher)
• Internal loadout with 2 AIM-120, and either:
  • 2 GBU-12 or 2 GBU-31
  • 8 GBU-39 or 4 GBU-49 (both Feb 18)
  • 8 GBU-53 (Dec 25)
  • 2 B61-12 nuclear bombs (Feb 24)
  • 2 AGM-88G AARGM-ER (2025)
  • 2 GBU-38 or GBU-54 (Block 4 2026)
  • 2 JSM (Sep 26?)
• External loadout with either:
  • 4 GBU-12 (Feb 18)
  • 4 GBU-49 (Nov 18)
  • 2 AGM-88G AARGM-ER (2025)
  • 8 AIM-120 or 4 AGM-158A/B or 4 GBU-31 or 4 GBU-38 or 4 GBU-54 (Block 4?)
  • 2 drop tanks (Block 4)

Remarks: In Svc: Aug 16
USAF CTOL variant. Stealthy in front quarter only (315°-045°), VSmall elsewhere. Only version to be nuclear capable. Can carry one internal and one external loadout. Can be fitted with RCS enhancer, increases Signature to Small for training and some combat missions. Initially not cleared to use 25mm cannon.

• 2 Aug 16: IOC, limited to maneuver Ratings 4.0/3.5.
• Feb 18: GAU-22 operational.
• May 18: FOC, can use full Maneuver Rating.
• Mar 23: Adaptive Engine Technology Program (AETP) cancelled. This would have increased range to 1260 nmi (4.6 kg/nmi).
• Block 4 to include 5th Gen FLIR/IRST (two a/c detecting the same contact can provide range), Sidekick launcher.
• Block 4 TR2 (possibly 2026) to include GBU-38, GBU-53, GBU-54, JSM.
• Block 4 TR3 (possibly 2028) to include APG-85 radar, AGM-158B-2, AARGM-ER, possibly 5th Gen ES and 5th Gen J&D, UAV controls.
• 2027: Looking at engine improvements. Possibly F135 EEP with 1065 nmi range (5.4 kg/nmi).
• 2029?: FMV (see F-35B IFMV), improved ES against LPI radars (est. -0.5 from ES modifier).

Furthermore, it's still too early to talk about a possible exit (after the F-15C); I'd almost bet to be a release on the end of 2026 or 2027... so things can change a lot.

Edited 17 hours ago by Silver_Dragon

[NytHawk]

34 minutes ago, Silver_Dragon said:

We can discuss it all we want, but ultimately, the final decision on the F-35's capabilities rests with ED. And for now, the FAQ and the weapons options are what they are.

Of course.

Internal loadouts carrying 6 AMRAAMs require the Block 4s sidekick upgrade (including substantial modification to existing aircraft with a brand new bulkhead)

GBU-53s and AARGM-ERs have yet to enter service; another Block 4 upgrade. Don't think AARGMs have started release testing yet if i remember correctly.
 

34 minutes ago, Silver_Dragon said:

I'd almost bet to be a release on the end of 2026 or 2027... so things can change a lot.

I prefer to just ignore the release date so I don't get impatient lol.

Edited Thursday at 01:31 PM by NytHawk

[TotenDead]

2 часа назад, NytHawk сказал:

1. “We”? or you?

Well, If you know that there's actually enough info then it's really me. Do you though, or you simply decided to be rude just because I somehow hurt your feelings?

2 часа назад, NytHawk сказал:

We don’t know what information ED has access to.

 

I could quote you here but I won't

2 часа назад, NytHawk сказал:

 

Deka made a whole module largely based on official simulators on information only they had access to and it turned out fine.

Good for them

 

[ricnunes]

22 hours ago, TotenDead said:

We might get the 2015 -ish version with its IRL limitations

 

Then, there will be no gun as well because a 2015 -ish F-35 could NOT fire its gun.

And now that we are at it, there wouldn't also be GBU-32's as indicated in the FAQ and also no GBU-12 self laser guidance (yeah, the 2015 -ish F-35's couldn't laser guide their own GBU-12s and had to rely on external laser sources for that!).

Edited Thursday at 07:09 PM by ricnunes

[jeventy26]

On 10/30/2025 at 2:03 PM, ricnunes said:

 

Then, there will be no gun as well because a 2015 -ish F-35 could NOT fire its gun.

And now that we are at it, there wouldn't also be GBU-32's as indicated in the FAQ and also no GBU-12 self laser guidance (yeah, the 2015 -ish F-35's couldn't laser guide their own GBU-12s and had to rely on external laser sources for that!).

Right?!  This is very cloudy and ED refuses to clarify and/or decide what exactly will be implemented...  2015 F-35A?  Not going to happen with no gun, no 32, and self laze?  Its a hard pass for me on that. 

[ricnunes]

8 hours ago, jeventy26 said:

Right?!  This is very cloudy and ED refuses to clarify and/or decide what exactly will be implemented...  2015 F-35A?  Not going to happen with no gun, no 32, and self laze?  Its a hard pass for me on that. 

Yes, that's correct! A 2015 F-35A would be a Block 2B which has all the limitations that I mentioned above. Resuming, basically only AMRAAMs and GBU-31s could be employed autonomously by a F-35 Block 2B aircraft and these weapons could only be carried internally which for example means no AIM-9X Sidewinders either as these are carried externally in the F-35.
Even the Block 3i which was basically a Block 2B with stability and mission effectiveness enhancements was only completed and started testing in 2016 (and as such, after 2015).

Despite being a F-35 fan and as such, DCS F-35A being the module that I'm anticipating the most for DCS, if it isn't a Block 3F then I agree with you that I won't buy it (it will be a hard pass for me either).
And not making a Block 3F because of any lack of documentation would be a lame excuse since in reality all the diferences between a Block 2B/3i and Block 3F are all software-wise which allows the usage of the Gun, the ability to carry more types of weapons such as the GBU-49 and GBU-39 SDB, it gives of course the self-lasing capability, adds the ability to carry external weapons (such as AIM-9X, GBU-12, GBU-49, GBU-31, etc...), expands the F-35 flight rules which allows for example the F-35A with Block 3F to be capable to attain 9G's.
Resuming, these are all capabilities that a pilot wouldn't notice by simply looking at the cockpit display as otherwise it looks exactly the same as a Block 2B/3i would look.

[Silver_Dragon]

I updated my post, with new info.

[draconus]

I'm pretty sure we'll end up with some more capable hybrid and the full picture will be revealed just before early access release but for now the official statement is this:

Quote

What weapons will be included?The complete weapons suite of a US F-35A in the 2015-time frame is planned. This includes the internal 25mm cannon, AIM-9X, AIM-120, GBU-31, GBU-32, and GBU-12. This list is subject to change during development. 

[jeventy26]

8 hours ago, draconus said:

I'm pretty sure we'll end up with some more capable hybrid and the full picture will be revealed just before early access release but for now the official statement is this:

I hope so.  It would be silly not to be able to utilize beast mode.... That wasn't until 2017 IIRC