Fifth-generation fighters are the chess grandmasters of the sky, calculating their moves with a blend of stealth and raw power.

As adversaries constantly evolve their defenses, the U.S. continues to innovate.

This commitment is most recently exemplified by the F-35 Lightning II’s “Beast Mode” and the integration of a new hypersonic missile, the Mako, designed to sharpen the spear of modern air warfare.

The F-35, a technological marvel at $1.7 trillion, steps beyond the conventional when it enters “Beast Mode.”

After establishing air superiority, this multi-role fighter transitions from a stealth purist into a formidable bomb carrier, swapping subtlety for firepower.

When in Beast Mode, the F-35 has the capacity to accommodate four times the amount of ordnance compared to operating in stealth mode.

By utilizing the external hardpoints in addition to the internal weapons bay, the F-35 is capable of carrying up to 22,000 pounds of ordnance.

This allocation includes 14 AMRAAMs and two AIM-3x Sidewinder missiles for air-to-air engagements.

The F-35’s adaptability is further enhanced by the introduction of the Mako missile.

The Mako missile is known for its exceptional speed, surpassing Mach 5, and its ability to be accommodated within the weapons bay of an F-35 aircraft.

The integration of this fighter and missile duo is expected to present a significant challenge to enemy defenses, making it difficult for adversaries to intercept a Mako missile strike. The Mako’s design aligns with other hypersonic weapons, suggesting a boost glide method propelling it to hypersonic speeds. This innovation represents a strategic game-changer in how the F-35 will engage its targets.

Despite the Missile Technology Control Regime (MCTR) potentially limiting the Mako’s range to under 186 miles, its compatibility with other U.S. fighter jets adds to the flexibility of tactical operations.

However, even as individual systems advance, the joint capability across different platforms remains a critical challenge.

The F-22 Raptor and F-35’s communication bottleneck, where these platforms struggle to share their wealth of data, is an Achilles’ heel in the otherwise formidable armor of U.S. air power.

They possess low probability of detection/intercept communications gear, which has led to them operating in a sort of linguistic isolation, unable to fully share their “God’s-eye view” with other units.

Relevant articles:
– Beast Mode: The F-35 Has a Secret Weapon Russia Can’t Match, The National Interest
– The Blistering New Hypersonic Missile That Will Give the F-35 Fangs, Popular Mechanics
– The F-22 and the F-35 Are Struggling to Talk to Each Other … And to the Rest of USAF, Air & Space Forces Magazine