The central cylindrical flexible payload schematic on that article look like the central ''store train'' payload of the A-5:
Probably just a awkward schematic.
TWZ's interpretation on these statements about Tempest are not realistic at all. Tempest is a J-20 sized aircraft, if not smaller. This is clear from the fact that the prototypes will be powered by EJ-200s, by the new renderings, and by statements by the GCAP partner nations that they cannot afford a huge plane with astronomical individual price tag. The J-20 form factor basically restrict the dimension of the IWB to what the J-20 has currently. I can believe it to be slightly bigger if Tempest chooses to omit the side weapon bays.
The best way to reconcile Bill's statement is the the Tempest can fit 8 AAM internally (this is double the 4 carried by the F-35) and has a range greater than the J-20, which would qualify as an "awful lot of range" to an airforce accustomed to the Eurofighter.
If the Tempest enters service in the 2040s as planned, it could shape up to be a peer competitor to the J-20A/S, reducing Britain's air power technology gap with China to only 15 years.
Dude’s been putting the boot to a certain orange a lot more of late. I went on his Twitter to see if he has any technical insight and instead found 12 pages of TikTok liberal level diatribe against 47…
Yeah, he hates the Orange Oaf almost as much as he hates Fat Amy.