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Originally Posted by Jimmy
Uh, no. On pretty much all points. When its fired within parameters, the AIM-120 has a very high pK. Especially if the radar supporting it isnt setting off the adversary's RWR.
The general population in the US sees the letter "F" in the beginning of an aircraft name, and they instantly think its a fighter first. The F-16 is a PERFECT example. The F-15E is another, although a lot of people have caught on that the -E is a different version. These planes are designed as multirole aircraft...capable of delivering a significant air-to-ground payload and being able to defend themselves or back up the dedicated fighters (F-15C).
The AF is trying to educate the masses that the F-35 is the same deal before everyone gets it in their head that its just another stealth fighter, like the F-22. If that idea gets implanted to firmly, Congress is gonna cut the order of F-35s and F-22s because they'll think they have the same mission. So they're emphasizing the F-35s a-g role, because that's the only way they can buy enough.
That Australian article has been debunked on this site already.
What's OLS?
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Well, if the F-35 is a good enough air superiority fighter for the Navy's ability to project and sustain operations in denied airspace, and protect the fleet, then i'd say it's a good enough "Air Superiority fighter" for the Air force as well.
As we all know, usually the Navy, not the Air Force, is usually the first to be called upon and placed in the hot spots of remote areas around the globe, and subsequently tasked with projecting as well as confronting denied airspace to assure no such challenges exist, and if need be, eliminated. Especially, in time critical, surgical strikes.
With that said, it may be the F-35's knocking down the door, even though, in irony, that it will be deployed some years after that of the F-22', with it's primary motto being, "knocking down the door". Before of that we see the F-22' knocking down the door.
We always relied upon the Tomcats and Hornets to respond to time critical events around the world. The F-35 will be no different.
Hey, I love the F-22 more than anything, but it's time to give a little love to those F-35's. If any bird were to go up against a Typhoon/Rafale/Flanker, or SA-300PMU/400' sam blanket, it's most likely, that the F-35 would first to fight.
Which suffice to say, can handle quite easily. :D