If the JSF stealthy features work as advertised against future radars, including AEW&C and/or ground radars.
And those will be the first targets of JASSM, JSOW-ER, HARM & JDRADM
If it can use its own radar without revealing its position.
It has the best radar in the world (save the F-22), can use off-board sensors, and can use it’s IRST.
If it can quickly enough identify the targets as hostile.
IRST and it automatically shares data with all the fighters in the area. Each F-35 can concentrate on a few targets and everyone benefits. Besides, if it’s a massed assault, what else can it be?
If the missiles active seekers can get a lock on against present and future EW systems
That’s what HOJ functions are for. Also, JDRADM will also have IIR and HARM functions.
or the enemy lacks MAWS that can use lasers to fry a possible future passive IR seeker.
And what fighter is the only one to have a written schedule and development to install these devices.. oh yeah, F-35
If it has enough missiles to take down all hostiles before getting into visual range
Lead F-35s carrying 4 internal AAM (6 with Blk5) and support F-35s carrying 14-16 AAMs… that seems enough
If it can get to and stay in the fight without tankers
The F-35 can fly with internal fuel as far as 4th gen fly with external tanks. Besides, the F-35 can also carry external tanks and drop them for max VLO before entering the fight.
or it can defend those tankers.
Because of the F-35’s inherent long range, the tankers can stay farther away. Any Flankers that get through will be handled by the CAP assigned to the tankers.
If it is enough of them to keep enough presence in the air during an attack.
Again, range is not an issue.
If nothing unpredicted happens that can play havoc with the scenario.
Of course, if not all of this works out perfectly it just becomes fanboy fantasies.
For the Flankers to survive, virtually EVERYTHING has to go wrong for the F-35s.. now who is talking “fanboy fantasies”?
Sign In
