I think no one suggests that the ECDs will match the F-35s BVR performance, though not everyone apart of the JSF fanboys/supporters would bet his a$$ on the F-35 being able to safely penetrate well into an enemies NEZ envelope. It remains yet to be seen how stealthy the F-35 will be in reality and how well sensors will perform in the future. ECM is another factor which has to be considered and in certain circumstances the F-35 might find itself quicker into a WVR engagment than some here aren’t even willed to think off.
The assertion is that the F-35 with F-16 like performance is not going to outperform a high performance fighter like the Eurofighter or Rafale. The F-35s requirement was for at least matching the performance of its predecessors the Typhoon’s or Rafale’s (and the F-22’s BTW) requirements were to exceed the performance of their predecessors by a fair margin!
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/F-35_Jet_Designed_To_Take_Out_The_S-300_Battery_999.html
-I suspect that LM/USAF has a pretty good handle on how low the RCS is, and how close it should be able to get to a foe, without being detected. The F-35 pilot will have a pretty good understanding too, as its onboard systems will give it the threat radii of emitting systems. I guarantee, the F-35 has a higher likelihood of getting well within its weapons NEZ vs. another fighter, before detection, than anything else(in the next 10-20yrs) aside from the F-22.
-The F-35 exceeds the F-16s performance in a number of kinematic areas, and has vastly superior sensor capabilities/situational awareness. When you combine this with HOBS/LOAL, it should do just fine in WVR, especially if the wingman hasn’t been detected.
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