The advent of Block 3F – expected soon – will
enable the F-35 to carry weapons externally for
the first time. The initial load options for the UK
will see two AIM-132 Advanced Short-Range
Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAMs) carried on the
outer wing stations, two AIM-120 Advanced
Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM)
carried internally, plus up to six Paveway IVs,
two internally and up to four hung under the
wings. While ASRAAMs will likely be seen
fairly regularly under the wings due to training
requirements, Tidball warned: “The more you
hang on the pylons the more your stealthiness
reduces. If the threat is high we’ll likely carry
everything internally. In more permissive
environments we can carry stores externally.”
The squadron expects to begin captive
carriage trials in early 2018. “A huge amount
of data can be gathered from this,” Tidball
explained. “We already know a lot about what
happens when the weapon leaves the pylon,
but we need to fully understand the interaction
with the aeroplane, and you can achieve that
with the weapon still attached. We will then
look at weapons employment from mid-2018.”Extensive and rigorous preparations are being carried out in readiness for the Initial Operational Test
and Evaluation phase in 2018.
66 // JANUARY 2018 #358 http://www.airforcesmonthly.com