Israel's F-35I Adir jets unleash full firepower in "Beast Mode" for combat VIDEO

Bulgarian Military features in a latest article that the Israeli Air Force confirmed that its F-35I Adir stealth fighters have been operating in "Beast Mode" during combat missions.

This configuration, which involves equipping the aircraft with a full arsenal of weapons, including external bombs mounted on its wings, sacrifices the plane’s stealth features in favor of increased firepower.

The modification, developed through a collaboration between Israel’s Flight Test Center, Lockheed Martin, and the Pentagon’s F-35 program office, allows the F-35—referred to locally as the "Adir" or "Mighty One"—to carry precision-guided JDAM bombs externally. This makes the Adir the only F-35 variant globally capable of conducting strikes in this configuration. Since October 2023, the jets have logged over 15,000 operational flight hours, engaging targets in Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon, although the military has withheld specific mission details.

The announcement comes at a time of increased activity for the Israeli Air Force, which has relied heavily on its F-35I fleet to address regional security threats. The Air Force also reported the arrival of three new Adir jets at Nevatim Air Base last week, expanding Israel’s total F-35 fleet to 42. This growth is part of Israel's long-term procurement strategy, which included an initial order of 50 F-35s, with an additional 25 ordered in 2023.

Beast Mode represents a departure from the F-35's standard operational configuration. While the aircraft typically carries weapons internally to maintain a minimal radar signature, Beast Mode increases the aircraft's payload capacity to 18,000 pounds by adding external hardpoints. This enables the F-35 to carry larger munitions, such as the 2,000-pound JDAM bombs used in recent strikes. However, this setup reduces the aircraft's radar stealth, making it more visible to enemy radar.

Experts believe this trade-off is necessary for certain missions where destructive power is prioritized over stealth, particularly when targeting hardened or dispersed locations. The adaptability of the F-35 allows Israel to customize its operational capabilities in ways that most other operators cannot, making the Adir a highly flexible asset in Israel’s military strategy.

By Naila Huseynova