Even if you hang weapons externally on the F-35 it still has a better RCS sig than 4th gen, better SA, better radar, better range, etc.

The F-35 can release a weapon MUCH closer to a target than the Rafale can so the SDB1&2 work just fine. There is also JSM, JADM-ER, JSOW & JSOW-ER that can be carried internally.

One of the F-35’s icing layers (UAI) makes adding weapons the easiest upgrade on the F-35 (and easier than any other production fighter today). All that is needed is for Sagem to create the flight profile, certify separation, and the AASM could be flying on F-35s worldwide the next day, no block upgrade needed.

Add to that the fact that AASM is a add-on kit like JDAM, a US company (LM, Boeing, ATK, Raytheon, etc) could partner with Sagem to bring the AASM extension tech to the JDAM family.

btw, Stormshadow (Scalp EG) is being certified for the F-35, so no Rafale advantage there.

It’s all about the stealth 🙂

Everything else is icing on the cake.

That is my point, any SH R&D & upgrades would be paid by Japan thereby removing the singular SH benefit: price.

Spud…. you are describing an IOC 2018 scenario there? 2019?

Blk 3 is what I was referring to.

How can you begin to assume what a creatively upgraded SH could go to Red Flag with in 2018/2019, fully equipped and asymmetrically armed for less than the raw F-35A unit Weapon system cost (no weapons included)?

I already gave the SH props for a lower price. Don’t ruin it by adding on R&D & upgrade costs.

BTW, a specialized follow-on ALQ-218 V3 + a next gen LW IRST equipping such next-gen 2018 SH would enable superior BVR situational awareness. Just add a modified asymmetrical AAM capability and Litening or Sniper SE pod for added superiority. imho.

And there is the rub. Who is going to pay for all this R&D?
How does it compare to the post-SDD R&D for the F-35?

The post-SDD R&D has a much better chance of happening, and will be cheaper, due to a large user base that has already started funding it. That cannot be said for the SH. That might change if SH goes to Brazil, India, & Japan… but those are big if’s.

Wrong; it has more advantages that price. It’s available today.

That would be relevant if Japan wanted delivery today, which the do not.