Beast mode Australian Lightning IIs
During exercise Arnhem Thunder 21, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) showed their F-35A Lightning IIs in the 'beast mode'.
For the RAAF, this is the very first time they showed the F-35A loaded with inert GBU-12 laser guided ordnance. The aircraft were enroute to the Delamere Air Weapons Range in the Northern Territory during the exercise.
As one of Air Force’s largest domestic training exercises for 2021, Arnhem Thunder provides important force generation training, focusing on high-end collective training and involving multiple Force Element Groups (FEGs).
The exercise will be conducted from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal, both Northern Territory, from 17 May to 15 June and will use the Mount Bundey Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range.
Aircraft deployed to the exercise include the F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, F/A-18A/B Hornet, Hawk 127, C-130J Hercules, C-17A Globemaster, C-27J Spartan, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, and E-7A Wedgetail. Arnhem Thunder will see the F-35A Lightning II operate out of RAAF Base Darwin for the very first time.
Earlier Scramble Magazine reported on the Aeronautica Militare (AM, Italian Air Force) and the US Air Force showing the Lightning II during 'beast mode' operations.
The 'Beast mode' is a relatively new word within the F-35 Lightning II community. The term ‘Beast mode’ is slang and refers to the aggressive, animalistic persona that one might assume when in competition or combat in order to overpower an opponent.
Photos by RAAF (LAC Brandon Murray, LAC Stewart Gould)