...here is the blunt Truth. The unit in the Action was F35A tail number AF-02. it's low number says a lot. this is a test article it's like racing the advanced prototype of a Car in the Grand Prix it's got issues yet to be resolved and there is no way it can face down the tuned proven performers in there arena. In this Case Stealth would have done little. but the Distributed aperture system would have game changed.allowing the Pilot to Spot the Aggressor.
The biggest issue though is the perceived lack of kinetic energy. AF02 could not turn and Burn with F16, the Aircraft it's intended to replace.
but is that the end all be all?
F16 is second to the F22 Raptor, the most agile fighter in US service. Fighting Falcon Earns it name It loves the turn and burn and even with drop tanks F16 will fly circles around many of the worlds top fighters. So it's stiff competition. The issues in this case though stem from the issues of the F35, That mainly being thrust to weight..
TE, we went through most of this earlier, the detractor's comments were outed...and then started to get repeated again, which is why I asked people to stop rehashing it above in Moderator's Comments.
Critical points are:
1) F-35s are restricted in their flight envelope right now. It has not been opened up.
2) The F-35 has some significant off angle capabilities and other sensor and weapons and queuing capabilities that are going to help a lot it in this arena.
Right now we do not know how much these things will offset the things you speak of...but they are being designed to matter a lot.
Until the envelope is opened up, and until the bird is operational with all of its capabilities available...there is no sense in being absolute one away or another. The proof will be in the pudding..
I believe when all of the above is done and in place, we are going to find that the F-35 is in fact going to turn and burn with the F-16 and be able to defeat most any aircraft even in the close in fighting. Others will disagree with that...but I believe it will be so, and time will tell.
But until the F-35 is opened up and fully operational...we only surmise.
The detractors want to do anything they can to place a stake in its heart...but they are going to fail at that.
As Equation likes to say...its the program. the people designing this bird and trying to get it to a fully opened up envelope and full operational capability really, really know what they are doing.
I predict they are not going to disappoint us.
the true is :
