The test pilot flying the F-35 makes it very clear that the new jet, even in its ideal configuration without any external stores, was no match against a Block-40 F-16C in a less-than-ideal configuration with a pair of under-wing fuel tanks:
The F-35 needs to be scrapped. It'll be a money loss, I know. But it would be a bigger loss of both money, men and power to have our new shiny toy getting shot down in droves by the ChiComs or Ruskies. This bird is going to be an albatross strung about the neck of the military for decades to come. This plane can barely hold it's own against an airframe that came out decades ago. The F-22 would slaughter the F-35. And the F-35 cannot perform the functions of the airplanes it's supposed to replace.
This is getting flat out ridiculous.
1 comment:
In a dogfight, yes, the F-35 would not do as well. It's meant to be a stealthy aircraft, not a dogfighter. How it would do in a beyond visual range aerial engagements, I don't know. That is the scenario that it was designed for But in a strictly visual, dogfighting furball, I guess it would not do well.
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