By Kris Osborn, Warrior
Known for destroying groups of 4th-gen fighters from standoff ranges in US Air Force wargames and described as a “flying computer,” the F-35 has become known for its stealth, sensing and high-speed data processing.
However, while regarded for its stealth, drone-like reconnaissance and long-range, high-fidelity sensing, the aircraft can also operate in a heavily armed, yet less stealthy “beast mode” capacity. The F-35 operates with a sleek, smoothed over internal weapons bay as part of its stealth configuration, yet a fully-armed aircraft can carry a number of bombs, including as many as 6 inert 500-pound GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and air-to-air missiles. .
Non-Stealthy F-35
The first and most significant element of this would seem to relate to the aircraft’s stealth properties, because loading up external hardpoints with weapons would of course increase the aircraft’s radar signature. Weapons beneath the wings could present shapes and contours more likely to generate a return rendering to ground based air defenses. More edges and protruding structures provide more “area” and “contrast” for electromagnetic “pings” emitting to detect shape, size and speed of an object.
Therefore, if less stealthy and potentially more vulnerable, what is the rationale for adding a fully-armed F-35 to a conflict scenario in which many bombs and missiles could be used by 4th-generation aircraft or large bombers such as the B-52. More specifically, if a US air attack campaign were operating with air superiority in a less-contested area, then stealth would be less critical as a needed attribute.
Advantage of F-35 Beast Mode
The question then becomes … what value would an F-35 bring to an air attack campaign if it were fully loaded with bombs and therefore less stealthy? There are many variables to consider here, the first of which simply relating to ordnance and dwell time. A more fully armed attack aircraft of any kind is positioned to extend the “time” of its bombing missions by virtue of being able to drop more ordnance and adjust as new targets emerge. The most significant areas of F-35 contribution, however, would likely relate to its computing, sensing, networking, targeting and reconnaissance advantages.
The range and fidelity of the F-35’s high-resolution Distributed Aperture System and Electro-Optical targeting systems would be well positioned to identify and “hand-off” targets to other air platforms, drones or “nodes” throughout a battlespace. With the securely established Multi-Function Data Link connecting all F-35s, formations of the 5th-gen fighter could form a protective surveillance web in position to track targets, share information or drop ordnance as needed.
This would provide a distinct advantage to other air assets less equipped to process, organize and transmit threat data in real time. A key aspect of this relates to F-35 computing and its well-known “sensor fusion.” The onboard computing, which operates with an ability to gather, organize and present information from otherwise disparate pools of incoming sensor data would prove quite useful in any kind of coordinated air campaign. The F-35 could almost operate in a forward-air type of command and control capacity to conduct surveillance, network time-sensitive data and attack with bombs as needed.
Yet another part of F-35 Beast Mode can be understood in terms of future software upgrades designed to improve capability and, in many cases, expand the weapons envelope. With new software “drops” or increments, the F-35 can continuously integrate new weapons as they become available. This means that F-35 Beast Mode could expand in coming years and could potentially integrate weapons which do not yet exist. Thus far, software upgrades have already enabled the F-35 to accommodate a new generation of weapons, such as the Stormbreaker. The Stormbreaker is a next-generation air-launched weapon now operational on the F-35, which utilizes a first-of-its-kind tri-mode seeker to track targets at ranges up to 40-nautical miles in all weather conditions.
Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University
