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Originally Posted by Tarek Morgen
But does not keeping the pods under any price not endanger the plane & pilot as it reduces speed and agility? Would not pods that can destroy themselve after jettisoned not a better alternative?
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I suppose it depends on the configuration of the pods. We don`t know what route the USAF will take, conformal systems or underwing ones will have an impact on aerodynamics/fuel efficiency/radar profile and hence survivability that is for sure. Maybe the penalties can be reduced to acceptable levels. I feel these podded type weapons will be aimed more at the F-35 than the F-22.
Self destruct pods would have to work 100% or you blow your stealth lead. Is it worth the risk? Remember also that you will have explosives wrapped around bigger explosives, might make a few people nervous although the drivers are well accustomed to risk.
We are all assuming that these pods WILL appear. We shall have to see....
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Originally Posted by Scorefour
This is all true, which explains why not everybody is already doing this. This is also why the USAF isn't showing pictures of their pods.
Anyone know if Meteor eventually will make it on British F-35's?
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I know that these podded systems have been studied for a LONG time, who knows what is on the drawing board.
Meteor is planned for the Typhoon, but not the UK F-35. UK F-35 will only be armed with ASRAAM at first, not even carrying a radar guided AIM such as AMRAAM. At best, the RAF could get "fitted for but not with" weapons, which is the way things have gone over here regards military procurement. Weapons being integrated one by one over time to stretch budgets.
The UK F-35 may be an excellent fighter....by the time it goes out of service.
Ala F.3 and the SHAR.