I wonder if they are relying on Link-16 for F-35B-to-Ship links or MADL?

Mk_1 eyeball is limited to low level and clear weather, especially at night with NVGs. EODAS can geolocate not only AAA, SAM, fighters, GTMI, & ManPads now but also has demonstrated the ability to do the same with MG, Mortar, cannon, and rocket fire (likely Blk4 feature).

SAR is not reserved for the APG-81, just better at it.

Any pod will still not be integrated to the level of EOTS, which is getting it’s own upgrade at Block 4.

The F-35A could very likely do the same job as the F-15E for less and have better SA.

For each wing pylon, the BRU-57 allows for each pylon to carry 2x1k weapons (JDAM, JSOW, JSM, SOM-J, etc).

OB is the one that compared the cost of operating the F-16 to the F-35 while completely disregarding HOW it would operate.

In low threat scenarios the F-16 can still only carry bombs on two wing stations if it has to carry wing tanks (typical loadout).

The F-35 can carry bombs on 6 stations without losing fuel by removing wing tanks.

So you’re equating the policies of two brutal regimes (where the disagreement with or merely fail to meet the expectations of can lead to your death) with that of the Public Affairs office as they are today???

Nothing new about that either. It just links pilots & maintainers who want to give interviews (and are good at it) with the PA dept. How else is the PA dept supposed to answer calls for someone to interview from press sources?