RAF adds three deadly 'beast mode' F-35 fighter bombers as Ukraine tension rises

dailystar.co.uk:

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed calls for NATO to establish a no-fly zone in the face of the continuing Russian invasion, a flight of three cutting-edge F-35B Lightning stealth fighters has been spotted moving into RAF Marham in Norfolk.The fearsome war machines have a split personality.

They can operate in a stealth configuration, holding bombs and missiles on the four weapons stations in its twin internal weapons bays.This maintains the aircraft’s low radar observability by keeping the bulky ordinance inside the plane’s radar-absorbent skin.But when stealth isn’t an issue, the F-35B can be configured into “beast mode,” with a staggering amount of ordinance mounted on its external weapons pylons.The two outboard weapon stations each can carry ordnance up to 1,500 lb (680 kg), allowing a Lightning in “beast mode” to carry precision ordinance such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Paveway bombs, or the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW).The advanced fighter-bomber is ideally suited to carrier operations or forward operating bases, requiring a comparatively short 450-foot runway.The F-35B is a shade chubbier than the previous A-variant because it also incorporates a vertical takeoff and landing [VTOL] capability – something the RAF has lacked since the last Hawker Harriers were taken out of service a decade ago.The Lightning has a top speed of Mach 1.6 (over 1220mph) even with a full internal payload.