The 4-Meter Missile That Solved The F-35’s Biggest Stealth Vs. Range Problem

As the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a stealth fighter, it needs to carry its munitions internally in its bays. Having external munitions and fuel tanks significantly increases its radar cross-section and detectability. Its internal bays were designed in the early 2000s, and now they shape engineering decisions when designing next-generation air-to-air missiles and other munitions intended to be used on the platform.