Excerpts from another F-35 article from the November 2012 issue of Air Force Magazine
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Air Force Magazine November 2012
John Tirpak
F-35 Race Against Time
Lockheed VP Stephen O’Bryan
Former F/A-18 pilot
On the issue of stealth
“The stealth of the production F-35, verified in radar cross section tests performed on classified western test ranges, is better than any aircraft other than the F-22.”
“the conductive materials needed to absorb and disperse incoming radar energy are baked directly into the aircraft’s multilayer composite skin and structure”
“Moreover, the surface material smoothes out over time, slightly reducing the F-35’s original radar signature”
“Only serious structural damage will disturb the F-35’s low observability”
“The repair and upkeep of low observables has been one of the F-22’s main maintenance drivers and that goes away with the F-35.”
Regarding engine radar signature
“The classified saw-tooth features that ring the nozzle help consolidate the [radar reflections] into a so-called “spike” signature, while other secret techniques have been employed to combat and minimize the engine heat signature.”
“Many of the standard fighter engine features such as a big afterburner spray bar assembly and related piping are missing from the F-35.”
On electronic warfare
“O’Bryan said the power of the F-35’s EW/DQ systems can be inferred from the fact that the Marine Corps is going to replace it’s EA-6B with a baseline F-35B.”
“Asked about the Air Force’s plans, O’Bryan answered with several rhetorical questions: “Are they investing in a big jammer fleet? Are they buying Growlers?”
“O’Bryan went on to say that the F-35’s EW capability “is as good as, or better than any fourth generation airplane specifically built for that purpose.”
“[The F-35] uses machine-to-machine communications with other F-35s. Emitters such as the radar and the electronic warfare system can flash on and off among all the F-35s in a flight.”
Performance
“The Air Force F-35 variant, fully loaded for combat, can pull nine-G turns and with a full load of fuel and missiles. This cannot be done by fighters lugging along external weapons and fuel tanks.”
“Because it was designed to maneuver to the edge of its’ envelope with a full internal combat load, the F-35 will be able to run rings around most other fighters, but it probably won’t have to---and probably shouldn’t.”
“If the situation demands a turning dogfight, however, the F-35 evidently will be able to hold its’ own with any fighter. That is a reflection on the fighter’s agility. What’s more, a potential future upgrade foresees the F-35 increasing its’ air-to-air missile loadout from its’ current four AIM-120 AMRAAMs to six of those weapons.”
“The F-35, while not technically a supercruising aircraft can maintain Mach 1.2 for a dash of 150 miles without using fuel-gulping afterburners.”
“In combat configuration, the F-35’s range exceeds that of fourth generation fighters by 25 percent. These are Air Force figures O’Bryan noted. We’re comparing the F-35 to the best of the fourth gen fighters. The F-35 compares favorably in any area of the envelope.”
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I know I saw a video somewhere with a test pilot mentioning F-35s using their stealth against other fighters and never being seen. Despite the talk of stealth being rendered ineffective by new radar technology, it seems that it remains a dominant factor. The Air Force "Red Baron" study conducted way back when still holds true. Shooting someone in the back who never knew you were there is still the best way to win.
part I'll retype now (p. 44):
