The whole point of the F-35 being stealthy kinda depends on keeping weapons inside the plane. External pylons light up radar like Christmas trees. Internal bays? Much smaller signature.
How It Works
Two internal bays, one on each side of the fuselage centerline. Doors open, weapon drops or launches, doors close. Quick as possible – you don’t want those doors open long when people are looking for you.
The opening/closing is automated and fast. Minimizes the window where radar can see inside.
What Fits Inside
AIM-120 AMRAAM for air-to-air. That’s the beyond-visual-range missile, fire and forget. Two or four depending on loadout.
JDAM bombs for ground targets – GPS guided, all-weather capable. GBU-12 Paveway for laser-guided strikes when you need precision.
The bay size limits what you can carry. No huge bombs internally. That’s the tradeoff for stealth.
Beast Mode
When stealth doesn’t matter – training, or fighting someone without good radar – the F-35 can carry external weapons too. Way more payload but way more visible. They call it “beast mode” which is exactly the kind of name pilots would come up with.
The Stealth Tradeoff
Internal bays mean less total weapons. F-15 can carry more missiles externally. But F-15 also shows up on radar from 100 miles away.
Different philosophies. Stealth aircraft hit first because they’re not seen. Older fighters carry more because they’re detected anyway and need firepower.
Maintenance Angle
Bay doors, release mechanisms, sensors – all need maintenance. More complexity than a pylon. But protecting the radar signature is worth it in contested airspace.
