Beast Mode: The F-35 has a top-secret weapon that Russia can’t match

Summary and Key Points: The F-35, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, is typically lauded for its advanced features and precision capabilities.

On the other hand, the F-35’s “Beast Mode” configuration, which allows it to carry a massive payload of 22,000 pounds of munitions on internal and external hardpoints from stealth missions, also demonstrates its remarkable adaptability.

-After achieving air supremacy, this mode enables the F-35 to release a large number of weapons, improving its multi-role performance.

-The F-35’s versatility allows it to be used successfully in many war scenarios, including protracted conflicts, which helps justify the program’s high $1.7 trillion cost.

Most people consider the F-35 to be a sleek, sophisticated fighter jet that emphasizes surgical precision and stealth with its cutting-edge technology. The widespread belief is accurate; The F-35 is actually a fifth-generation stealth fighter, designed to carry software that improves data exchange and network connectivity. But popular belief is waning The F-35 because of its adaptability and ability to “roll up its sleeves”.

Remember that the F-35 is a multirole fighter that can be converted into a simple, knuckle-dragging bomb carrier upon request. We refer to this setup as “Beast Mode.“.

All Out Flight 

Thanks to its stealth technology, the F-35 can engage enemy targets before establishing air superiority, enter contested airspace and avoid detection. Actually, the primary goal of the F-35’s design is to achieve air superiority first. In addition, compromises were made regarding weapons payloads because the F-35 is intended to be a stealth aircraft. The F-35 replaces external hard points with an internal armament, which significantly increases the aircraft’s radar cross-section, thereby improving its stealth qualities. Although the internal weapons compartment contributes to the stealth of the airframe, there is not much room for storage in the fuselage.

F-35 Stealth or Carry: Enter Beast Mode 

While carrying internal weapons, the F-35 can only carry 5,700 pounds of munitions when in stealth mode. That equates to two AMRAAMs combined with two GBU-31 JDAM bombs for hybrid operations, or four AIM 120 AMRAAM missiles (for air-to-air missions). Although it doesn’t have a lot of firepower, it’s worth the compromise to get the hidden benefits.

However, the stealth mode becomes less important once air superiority is achieved and the enemy loses its air defense missiles and anti-aircraft equipment such as artillery, sensors and interceptor aircraft. Additionally, the F-35 can switch to “beast mode” and use its external hard points to increase its firepower when stealth becomes unnecessary.

The F-35 can carry four times more weapons than it can carry in stealth mode. The F-35 can carry 22,000 pounds of munitions when it uses internal weapons in addition to external hardpoints. That equates to two AIM-3x Sidewinder missiles and fourteen AMRAAMs for air-to-air missiles.

Alternatively, the aircraft can be modified with two AMRAAMs, two Sidewinders and six JDAM 2,000-pound bombs for hybrid operations. Yes, the increase in firepower is significant; however,in Beast Mode, the F-35’s operational range is cut in half – to just 1,400 kilometers.

It may seem odd to use the fifth-generation jet/supercomputer F-35 as a basic bomb truck when Cold War-era aircraft like the F-16 or B-52, while more capable, would have been better suited for the purpose. However, the idea of ​​using jets to achieve air superiority in the first round of combat becomes objectionable when you consider that the F-35 program costs taxpayers $1.7 trillion.

The Beast Mode configuration reflects the idea that if you’re going to spend that kind of money on an airframe, you should get the most out of it. Moreover, the F-35 must be able to do more than simply sneak up and destroy air defense systems in the early stages of combat, as the United States has a history of attacking nations with weak air defense systems and staying for prolonged occupations.

About the Author

Harrison Kass has written over 1,000 articles as a defense writer. He was a lawyer, pilot, guitarist and semi-professional hockey player. He joined the US Air Force as a trainee pilot but was discharged for medical reasons. Harrison holds degrees from New York University, the University of Oregon, and Lake Forest College. He listens to Dokken and lives in Oregon.

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