Hrrm, I'll have to check that, last time this came up I read that their ranges with externals was equivalent, but that was on another bbs and from a ground tech that is with 409 sqdr CF18 at Cold Lake. If that's wrong, I wonder what range the F35 gets on 2 Externals, as I don't know if it can mount a centerline due to the sensors there, can it? Regardless, if it can mount 3 or 2, I'd like to know what kind of range it gets on those 2 wing mounted tanks.
After searching it, I think the F35B stats were used compared to the F18, as they are very close on internal fuel and external fuel for combat radius range, the F35B having about 9 percent better range on internal, with the F18 having about the same on external better, probably due to having an extra tank (3 vs 2), where as the F35A and C have much better range, the A model 600 vs 400 for the F18A and C models on internal fuel only. The C model might be the best option for us to go with then if those range figures are correct, although not having an internal gun might not sit well with the RCAF.