Hey Does anybody know how is the F-35 is truly better than a updated F-16 and could it even out-maneuver a F-16 or SU-27/35 in a close in fight?
I have to really get in reality about the F-35. It wasn’t really built for that role though, the sensors/AESA alone make it better then a F-16 at the strike mission, especially in hardened areas where a little bit of stealth might make enough of a difference.
It was never meant to engage against a Flanker, it will always lose that fight. But it does have the ability to track targets at extreme angles with the DAS and EODAS, it just needs a proper high off-boresight missile to take advantage of that and it won’t be stuck in that kind of fight. That is more a of dream then reality at this point. It’s advantage is BVR which is strictly the F-35’s mission.
Its also not meant to be a exact superior air to air platform because it’s not capable in doing all of the Air to air missions. In WVR it’s likely to be a flaw and you F-35 fanboys keep predicting propaganda about it doing well in all of it’s roles. instead it was designed to be a mud mover(Do ground attack superiorly well) in a sky protected by Raptors. I’m not always believing what the F-35 Pilots or fanboys say. It’s small wings doesn’t make it fulfill in a close combat fight. I’d say it’s capable in BVR but it isn’t in a close in fight. I’d doubt it could handle its self in within visual range. Shame We should’ve kept more F-16’s to upgrade em now my 16 is going away so i had to say my thoughts about the 35.
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