So, on January 12, 2024, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to integrate the AARGM-ER with all three F-35 variants.But many online sources state:>internal carriage on the F-35B is not possible due to internal space limitations. But wouldn't mounting an ARM missile the exterior pylons negate the advantage of using a stealth fighter to perform SEAD/DEAD objectives?
>>64727969There seems to be a typo in the OP picrel, F-35C(>A*) internal;
>>64727969F-35B makes a lot of compromises for the VTOL/STOL capability. It's fine given the other variants can carry them internally. If the pylon doesn't ruin the RCS too much it's probably also fine, hell you want them to point a FCS radar at you prior to launch so you can nail the FCS radar rather than "just" a search radar.
>>64727977The doc is from the Marines, who have squadrons operating Cs but don’t have any operating As so they aren’t concerned with them. Air Force is developing SiAW, which is a presumably improved derivative of the AARGM-ER sharing the same form factor
>>64727969It isn't like a F-35B/C RCS goes up like crazy when mounting external munitions. Fighter launched missiles aren't that big RCS wise from head on and they can get treatments as well (radome transparency aside). The pylons themselves are probably RAM coated and up the wazoo for RCS reduction. So you go from a metaphorical much smaller than ball bearing return to still smaller than ball bearing return that gets small again after it fires ordinance off.Super Hornets are lower RCS than legacy fighters already for reference and that's just from shaping. >So why allow a SAM to self defend itself from ARMs aside from radar shutdown (which wouldn't work against SIAW and friends)And yes Russian marketing memes hard on being able to target PGMs and self defend by shooting at fucking Hellfire missile in their vodka saturated dreams.
like the other anon said, most missiles don't have that big a rcs from the front when slung. when they heat up when going supersonic down low after firing, that's when they light up like a christmas tree on radar from far away.
>>64728331Stealth characteristics. The Comanche incorporates more low-observable stealth features than any aircraft in Army history. The Comanche radar cross-section (RCS) is less than that of a Hellfire missile. To reduce radar cross-section, weapons can be carried internally, the gun can be rotated aft and stowed within a fairing behind the turret when not in use, and the landing gear are fully-retractable. The all-composite fuselage sides are flat and canted and rounded surfaces are avoided by use of faceted turret and engine covers. The Comanche's head-on RCS is 360 times smaller than the AH-64 Apache, 250 times less than the smaller OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, and 32 times smaller than the OH-58D's mast-mounted sight.
>>64728376I'm still salty that the Comanche was cancelled.
>>64728331How can a Super Hornet have a smaller RCS than a heckin' F-16?
>>64730735Unironically doing a bunch of shaping on all the shit that causes increased RCS return. Burkes have smaller RCS than a ship of their size should have for the same reason (in contrast to the Ticos).This is why when certain other countries meme their "4.5th gen" or 4th gen+(++++++++)" or downright just lie to your face with their "5.5th" or "6th" gen shit they're just blasting marketing drivel at max volume because they don't do their homework and are instead peacocking with maximum face culture.
>>64730866Lots of shitmelka, please trust our S-666, plane disobey -> plane regret.
>>64730735It's a pretty modern aircraft, IOC was only 4 years before the F-22.
