A British F-35B in "beast mode" onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth [3600x2072]
RAFWhat is that on the outer most pylon?
Can it take off with this load out?
Does this load out include its internal payload?
ASRAAM on wingtip pylons, 2xAIM-120C-7 inside the weapons bay, Paveway IV on rest of the pylons, it can't take off vertically in this loadout with full fuel.
Obviously not vertically, I mean off the ramp lol. Is this a capable carrier combat load with the ski jump
Yes it is
Well that's pretty darn impressive imo, 2K lbs of bomb load and commendable a2a loadout! Wonder how much more that is than the US Marines on their flat top ships
Same amount, the ramp primarily reduces the deck distance needed for the same payload. (It has other benefits but that is the main one)
It lets it have simultaneous landing/takeoff ops, whereas a USMC ship can either conduct takeoffs OR landings at any one time.
I assume it would have to refuel off a tanker immediately with that load, probably has just enough fuel to get airborne and not much more
No, not at all
Yes.
i wonder, if you are an F-35 operator, should you choose ASRAAM or AIM-9X as your main short range missile as both are options.
In this case UK doesn't have an inventory of AIM-9X, so it'll be always ASRAAM.
They both have their unique qualities over one another, but by and large it is a national choice. ASRAAM is British, so the Brits use it. AIM-9X is American, so the Americans use it.
Both are very capable and I doubt pilots would begrudge either.