The F-35 is slowly becoming pretty popular and more than 760 of these have been manufactures
This is quite a big number for a 5th generation fighter considering
the fact that Russia has only a handful of Su-57 and China has a few dozens of J-20.
Last year, two new countries – Switzerland and Finland, selected the F-35.
While a few unfortunate mishaps have taken place,
it can't be denied that the F-35 program is maturing nicely
Modern-day combat is technologically fast-moving and there is a need to keep evolving.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes how the F-35 will be twice lethal
by 2024 because of 3 new weapons? Let's get into the details.
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ARM or Anti Radiation Missile is seen as a counter to advance air defense systems
This kind of missile is designed to detect
and home in on an enemy radio emission source like enemy radar and jammers
Currently, the US Air Force uses AARGM or Advanced Anti Radiation Guided Missile
for SEAD or Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses role.
The AARGM features new software and enhanced capabilities to
counter jamming through Electronic Warfare.
AARGM contains a multi-mode guidance package containing a GPS-assisted inertial navigation
system, as well as a millimeter-wave radar that can locate targets even if
they stop emitting radio frequency or other signals or even begin to move.
AARGM-ER is an Extended-Range version of the current AARGM weapon.
AARGM-ER uses the same sensors, electronics, and warheads as its predecessor but includes a larger
rocket engine and tail upgrades to extend its range and improve its maneuverability.
The missile also has its mid-body wings removed and replaced with a short strake along its length.
AARGM has a range of 150 km or 92 miles whereas AARGM-ER
will have a range of 300 km or around 185 miles. The missile can also relay data in its final
moments to confirm whether or not it successfully hit its intended target.
The weapon will be a key asset when it comes to taking on sophisticated air defense systems
like Russian S-300, S-400, S-500 and Chinese HQ-9
SAM which are deployed as part of Anti-Access and Area Denial (A2AD) strategy.
Initial operational capability is planned for 2023.
Currently, the most potent beyond-visual-range
air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) available to the US Air Force is the AIM-120D AMRAAM.
But is thought to be outranged by Chinese PL-15 So, technically Chinese fighters could get a
shot at American fighter jets before they can get off a shot of their own.
To mitigate this, the development of AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) began in 2017.
It is being designed by Lockheed Martin & is expected to start replacing the AMRAAM
currently in US service from 2024.
The AIM-120’s 7-inch diameter is the greatest constraint on that missile’s range.
The AIM-260 will be wider, although it is unclear by how much.
Testing of the new missile is apparently ongoing and the U.S. Air Force has planned to spend $6.5
million to build a special storage facility for the new missile at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.
There is still limited information regarding this weapon but it is clear that it is being
conceptualized so as to enable the US Air Force to dominate air-to-air engagements.
In certain scenarios, a large number of payload and significant firepower is required
to neutralize ground targets. This is where GBU-53/B
StormBreaker comes into the picture.
The StormBreaker measures only 69 inches long,
6 inches in diameter, 68 inches in wingspan, and weighs 204 lb or 93 kg.
A single F-35 would be able to carry 8 StormBreaker internally and eight externally,
providing the 5th generation fighter with massive firepower.
StormBreaker has a maneuverable airframe and deployable wings
which provide an improved stand-off range.
The weapon has a range of 45 miles or 72 km against moving targets
and 69 miles or 110 km for stationary targets.
The StormBreaker can use a GPS/INS system for initial guidance
to move into the general vicinity of a moving target and then use updates from the UHF data link
to home in on the target during the last leg of the flight.
Importantly the seeker in StormBreaker has 3 modes for diverse operational scenarios.
1. Millimeter-wave radar to detect and track targets through adverse weather conditions
and battlefield dust and debris. 2. Infrared imaging for enhanced target detection
through the heat signature of the target 3. A semi-active laser that enables it to
track an airborne or ground target that is illuminated with a laser designator.
Information is shared seamlessly among all three modes for accurate targeting which allows the
weapon to engage fixed or moving targets at any time of day and in adverse weather conditions.
Half of the total weapon's weight is warhead alone.
The shaped charge ‘plasma-jet’ technology multifunctional warhead in the bomb has
both blast and fragmentation effects. This means that the bomb can be effective not only against
unhardened structures, infantry vehicles but also against heavily armored Main Battle Tanks.
The fuze of the warhead can be configured to trigger on
impact or at a pre-set height above the intended target, or in a delayed mode.
So far, the StormBreaker is only approved for integration on the F-15E,
the U.S. Air Force has stated, but will eventually be certified for use with the F-35.