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Truth is the F-35 aftermarket just hasn't really materialised like many thought. The only thing we've seen is an internal baggage pod for F-35A that is under testing at present. No external tanks, no conformals (which was always a silly idea, no F-35 has been built with attachment points to date, a huge, and expensive, flight test campaign would be required as well..). Most air forces are in the early days of F-35 operations, are concentrating on scaling up their initial operations to full combat capability, waiting for new weapons to be integrated and new capabilities (for example the full EW suite won't be in place until Lot 17 production starts to arrive) from Block IV. Plus they're looking at upgrade paths to get their exisiting fleets to Block IV capability. So in all probability there just isn't the time, money or bandwidth to start considering more esoteric things like adapted gun pods delivering additional capabilities.

Plus....it's only for the B and C variant, so unless the USMC, USN or RAF/FAA are interested there is little chance of it progressing.

<blockquote data-quote="timmymagic" data-source="post: 543168" data-attributes="member: 7959">Truth is the F-35 aftermarket just hasn't really materialised like many thought. The only thing we've seen is an internal baggage pod for&nbsp; &nbsp; F-35A that is under testing at present. No external tanks, no conformals (which was always a silly idea, no F-35 has been built with attachment points to date, a huge, and expensive, flight test campaign would be required as well..). Most air forces are in the early days of F-35 operations, are concentrating on scaling up their initial operations to full combat capability, waiting for new weapons to be integrated and new capabilities (for example the full EW suite won't be in place until Lot 17 production starts to arrive) from Block IV. Plus they're looking at upgrade paths to get their exisiting fleets to Block IV capability. So in all probability there just isn't the time, money or bandwidth to start considering more esoteric things like adapted gun pods delivering additional capabilities.Plus....it's only for the B and C variant, so unless the USMC, USN or RAF/FAA are interested there is little chance of it progressing.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="timmymagic, post: 543168, member: 7959"] Truth is the F-35 aftermarket just hasn't really materialised like many thought. The only thing we've seen is an internal baggage pod for F-35A that is under testing at present. No external tanks, no conformals (which was always a silly idea, no F-35 has been built with attachment points to date, a huge, and expensive, flight test campaign would be required as well..). Most air forces are in the early days of F-35 operations, are concentrating on scaling up their initial operations to full combat capability, waiting for new weapons to be integrated and new capabilities (for example the full EW suite won't be in place until Lot 17 production starts to arrive) from Block IV. Plus they're looking at upgrade paths to get their exisiting fleets to Block IV capability. So in all probability there just isn't the time, money or bandwidth to start considering more esoteric things like adapted gun pods delivering additional capabilities. Plus....it's only for the B and C variant, so unless the USMC, USN or RAF/FAA are interested there is little chance of it progressing. [/QUOTE]

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