Italian Air Force F-35A, F-35B stealth fighters conduct first ever mission in Beast Mode

Italian Air Force F-35B stealth fighters conducts first ever mission in Beast Mode.

The Italian Air Force achieved a new record with the Lightening II when the F-35A and F-35B fighters assigned to the 13th Flight Group/32nd Wing conducted the first ever mission with internal and external inert load, on 26 November 2020. This configuration is commonly called "Beast Mode" and shows all the weapons a fighter aircraft can load when the operational context does not require low observability.

The F-35 is known as the most advanced aircraft ever designed, featuring stealth technology that allows it to operate in "non-permissive" environments. All equipment can be stored in internal bays to minimize radar cross section and thus evade and penetrate the most advanced enemy defenses. At the same time, it is an "omnirole" aircraft, designed to maximize the engagement capacity of multiple targets, even with external weapons.

"If required, the aircraft is able to be configured in Beast Mode, renouncing the low observability, but preserving the sensor fusion, info gathering and info sharing capabilities that allow us to reach the level of information superiority required for ensure effective decision-making at various levels ", said the Commander of the 13th Flight Group.

This mission offered the Italian Air Force the opportunity to conduct the first national training with this special configuration, as well as perform the first short take-offs and vertical landings in Beast Mode with the F-35B. The mission also involved the Reparto Sperimentale Volo (Experimental Flight Department) as part of the OT&E (Operational Test and Evaluation) activities of the platform. The training activity, carried out at the 32 ° Stormo, allowed the service to further implement the teamwork skills of the maintenance personnel, responsible for the correct and safe installation of the loads.

"The continuous training of pilots, maintainers and support personnel, even in this configuration, is of fundamental importance to allow the Armed Force a continuous growth in using the F-35A and F-35B to the maximum of their capabilities, said Col. Stefano Castelnuovo, Commander of the 32nd Wing.

The 32nd Wing was the first unitt in Europe to operate with the F-35A which, since March 2018, ensures national air defense with the aircraft's latest generation operational capabilities and technology. After achieving the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2018, from 2019 the 32nd Wing participates in NATO Air Policing Operations outside national borders. Since February 2020 it is the only unit in the world to operate both F-35A (CTOL) and F-35B (STOVL).

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Written by Matteo Sanzani

Source, Images: Italian Air Force