F-35 Weapons: Every Bomb, Missile and Gun It Carries
The F-35 carries a 25 mm cannon, air-to-air missiles, laser- and GPS-guided bombs from 250 lb to 2,000 lb and, on the F-35A, the B61-12 nuclear bomb. It can carry about 5,700 lb of weapons inside its two bays, or up to 18,000 lb when the six wing stations are also used.
The choice between those two loads defines how the jet fights. Internal carriage keeps the radar signature low for the first days of a war; external carriage turns it into a bomb truck once air defences are down. This guide lists F-35 weapons by type and by variant.
How do the F-35’s weapons bays and stations work?
Each of the two bays has two stations. The inboard station, on the bay door, takes an air-to-air missile. The outboard station, on the bay roof, takes a bomb or a second missile. On the F-35A and F-35C that station is cleared for 2,500 lb, enough for a 2,000 lb JDAM. The F-35B’s bays are smaller because of the lift fan, and its limit is 1,500 lb, which means a 1,000 lb bomb.
Six more stations sit under the wings. The two outer ones carry short-range missiles only. The four inner ones carry bombs, missiles or, in future, cruise missiles. The F-35B and F-35C can also mount a gun pod on the centreline.
| Station | F-35A | F-35B | F-35C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal, outboard (two) | 2,500 lb each | 1,500 lb each | 2,500 lb each |
| Internal, inboard (two) | One air-to-air missile each | One air-to-air missile each | One air-to-air missile each |
| Wing, inner (two) | 5,000 lb each | 1,500 lb each | 5,000 lb each |
| Wing, middle (two) | 2,500 lb each | 1,500 lb each | 2,500 lb each |
| Wing, outer (two) | AIM-9X or ASRAAM | AIM-9X or ASRAAM | AIM-9X or ASRAAM |
| Maximum weapons load | 18,000 lb | 15,000 lb | 18,000 lb |
Which bombs does the F-35 drop?
Most of what the F-35 has delivered in combat is guided bombs. The standard stealth load is two bombs and two AMRAAM missiles. With Small Diameter Bombs the F-35A and F-35C can carry eight weapons internally, four in each bay, alongside two missiles.
| Weapon | Class and guidance | Carriage |
|---|---|---|
| GBU-31 JDAM | 2,000 lb, GPS and inertial | Internal on F-35A and C; external |
| GBU-32 JDAM | 1,000 lb, GPS and inertial | Internal on all variants |
| GBU-12 Paveway II | 500 lb, laser | Internal or external |
| GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II | 500 lb, laser and GPS, for moving targets | Internal or external |
| Paveway IV | 500 lb, laser and GPS (UK) | Internal or external |
| GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb | 250 lb glide bomb, GPS | Internal, four per bay on F-35A and C |
| GBU-53/B StormBreaker | 250 lb glide bomb with three-mode seeker | Internal; full capability planned for September 2027 |
| B61-12 | Nuclear gravity bomb with guided tail kit | Internal, F-35A only |
StormBreaker is the important addition. Its seeker combines radar, infrared and laser guidance, so it can hit moving vehicles through cloud and smoke, something laser-guided bombs cannot do. The missiles the jet carries are covered in our guide to F-35 missiles.
What gun does the F-35 have?
All three variants use the General Dynamics GAU-22/A, a four-barrel 25 mm rotary cannon that fires about 3,300 rounds a minute. The F-35A carries it inside the left wing root behind a small door, with 182 rounds, enough for a few short bursts.
The F-35B and F-35C have no internal gun. They can fit a pod on the centreline holding the same cannon and 220 rounds. The pod is shaped to limit its effect on radar signature. Pentagon testers criticised the F-35A’s gun accuracy for several years; the Air Force has since worked through the alignment problems.
What is F-35 beast mode?
Beast mode is the pilots’ name for a full external and internal load. Lockheed Martin describes configurations with four 2,000 lb bombs and missiles under the wings in addition to what is in the bays. The jet gives up stealth and some range in exchange for several times the firepower.
The logic is sequencing. On the first day of a conflict F-35s fly clean, using stealth to hunt radars and missile batteries. Once those are destroyed there is less need to hide, and the same aircraft can carry loads closer to those of an F-15E or F/A-18. How far it can carry them is explained in how long an F-35 can stay in the air.
How do weapons differ between the F-35A, B and C?
The F-35A has the internal gun and is the only variant certified for the B61-12. The F-35C matches its bomb load and adds the JSOW glide weapon. The F-35B carries less: smaller bays, lighter wing stations and a 15,000 lb limit. It also cannot take the planned upgrade to six internal missiles.
National weapons add to the list. British aircraft use ASRAAM and Paveway IV and are due to get Meteor and SPEAR 3. Israel integrates its own bombs and electronic systems on the F-35I. The basics of the aircraft are in what the F-35 is.
Frequently asked questions
What weapons does the F-35 carry?
A 25 mm cannon, AIM-120 and AIM-9X missiles, JDAM and Paveway guided bombs, Small Diameter Bombs and, on the F-35A, the B61-12 nuclear bomb.
How much can an F-35 carry?
About 5,700 lb internally and up to 18,000 lb in total on the F-35A and F-35C. The F-35B is limited to 15,000 lb.
Does the F-35 have a gun?
Yes. The F-35A has an internal 25 mm GAU-22/A with 182 rounds. The F-35B and F-35C use an external pod with 220 rounds.
How many bombs fit inside an F-35?
Two large bombs, or eight Small Diameter Bombs on the F-35A and F-35C, plus two air-to-air missiles.
What is beast mode?
A non-stealth configuration that adds weapons on the six wing stations to the internal load.
Can the F-35 carry a 2,000 lb bomb internally?
The F-35A and F-35C can. The F-35B’s smaller bays are limited to 1,000 lb class bombs.
- Defence Industry Europe – US plans major F-35 weapons expansion with AARGM-ER, LRASM, JSM and StormBreaker in 2027, Meteor and SPEAR 3 in 2032: defence-industry.eu
- Lockheed Martin – F-35 Lightning II programme site: f35.com
- Wikipedia – Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II: en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia – B61 nuclear bomb: en.wikipedia.org
