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    HomeMilitaryUnleashing the F-35's 'Beast Mode': Maximizing Firepower When Stealth is Compromised

    Unleashing the F-35’s ‘Beast Mode’: Maximizing Firepower When Stealth is Compromised

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    The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a marvel of modern aerial warfare, primarily known for its stealth capabilities and advanced technology.

    Yet, there’s another aspect to this fifth-generation fighter that showcases its raw power and versatility—the ability to switch to ‘Beast Mode.’ This configuration allows the F-35 to carry an astonishing 22,000 pounds of munitions.

    The concept of ‘Beast Mode’ is not merely an informal term but a strategic capability of the F-35. When in stealth mode, the aircraft carries its weapons internally, maintaining a low radar signature with a payload limit of 5,700 pounds.

    This configuration typically comprises four AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for air-to-air combat or a combination of two AMRAAMs and two GBU-31 JDAM bombs for mixed missions.

    However, when stealth is no longer a primary requirement—usually when enemy air defenses have been neutralized—the F-35 can load up its external hardpoints in addition to its internal weapons bay. This multiplies its payload to nearly four times the stealth mode capacity, hence ‘Beast Mode.’

    Such a dramatic increase in firepower allows the F-35 to carry up to 14 AMRAAMs and two Sidewinder missiles for air-to-air combat in ‘Beast Mode’.

    For air-to-ground missions, it can be outfitted with two AMRAAMs, two Sidewinders, and six JDAM 2,000-pound bombs.

    While ‘Beast Mode offers significant firepower, it does come at the expense of reduced operational range, cutting down the distance the F-35 can travel without refueling to approximately 1,400 kilometers.

    This deployment of the F-35’s ‘Beast Mode’ is not just theoretical.

    This F-35A Lightning II, AF-4, is outfitted with a spin recovery chute during high angle of attack testing accomplished by the F-35 Integrated Test Force team at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The F-35 Integrated Test Force made significant progress expanding the flight envelope of the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant over the past few months with numerous successes in High Angle of Attack flight tests. (Photo by Darin Russell/Lockheed Martin)

    Allied forces from countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, and Australia have adopted this configuration when required, showcasing the global recognition of the F-35’s expanded combat role beyond just stealth operations.

    As one Lockheed Martin graphic from 2017 illustrated, ‘Beast Mode’ is fully activated once air superiority is achieved, allowing rapid deployment of ordnance without the need for radar evasion.

    Training for ‘Beast Mode’ is an integral part of a pilot’s preparation, as it requires them to handle the aircraft under significantly different flight characteristics.

    Pictured is the first of the UK’s F-35B Lightning II jets to be flown to the UK. Accompanied by two United States Marine Corps F-35B aircraft from their training base at Beaufort, South Carolina. The F-35B Lightning II will place the UK at the forefront of fighter technology, giving the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy a true multi-role all weather, day and night capability, able to operate from well-established land bases, deployed locations or the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will be known in UK service as the Lightning II. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor but the UK is the only Level 1 partner with the US. A number of British companies, including BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce will have significant industrial work-share in construction and development of the aircraft. The Lightning II will provide UK Defence with a 5th Generation (low observable, supersonic, enhanced data fusion), multi-role, all weather, day and night aircraft that will have the ability to operate from land bases as well as the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers, the first of which is due to accept Lightning II onto her deck in 2018. This basing flexibility will give UK Defence a truly joint expeditionary Combat Air capability well into the 2030’s. The RAF is the lead service for the operation of Lightning II and, like the Harrier before, the Joint Lightning II Force will be manned by both RAF and RN personnel.

    Lieutenant Colonel Peter Cossette, Director of Operations at the USAF’s 63rd Fighter Squadron, emphasized the importance of exposing student pilots to this configuration, stating, “It’s important for our student pilots to have some exposure to flying this unique configuration because when they are in a combat situation, they will fly a very similar configuration to the one they’re doing right now.”

    Moreover, engaging ‘Beast Mode’ involves not just a change in the weapons load but also a shift in tactical approach.

    Its utilization is part of a carefully considered strategy that follows the notion of “Day 3” combat, wherein the first two days involve achieving air dominance through stealth and precision, clearing the way for the third day when the F-35 can unleash its full arsenal without concern for enemy radar.

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