22,000 lbs. of weapons. That's what the F-35 fighter can carry, with internal and external stores together. Pilots call it Beast Mode. Who knew our newest stealth fighter had a Beast Mode? Yet it makes sense. F-35s now operational with the Marines, Air Force and Navy are taking over the mantle of air dominance. Part of that means adaptability for many missions. In Beast Mode, the F-35 can patrol with 14, yes, that's fourteen AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to air missiles, and tuck 2 AIM-9X Sidewinders in as well. The air-to-gorund mode is six 2,000-lb. JDAMs with 2 AIM-120 AMRAAM and 2 AIM-9x. The air-to-air mode is vital for future threats. Imagine chasing Chinese H6 bombers all over the Pacific, or deterring Chinese fighters over the South China Sea. In other scenarios, air-to-air Beast Mode boosts the F-35's utility against incoming cruise missiles or threats to US air sovereignty. Watch Lockheed Martin exec Jeff Babione tell dean of defense journalists Vago Muradian all about it, here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4kuB58nENs
date:
10/25/2017
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