The F-35: Better Than You Think

Comments · 7.7K

• MR

  @MrKronikDeception · 4 years ago

  "F-35 can't dogfight" is as ridiculous as "military sniper would lose in a boxing match against former heavyweight champion George Foreman."

  3.8K

• AX

  @axson8 · 3 years ago

  "If you asked the consumer what they wanted, they'd have just asked for faster horses"   -Henry Ford

  1.3K

• ST

  @Sturgeonmeister · 4 years ago

  I remember when the F-15 was starting to come online and critics, including members of Congress, complained that it had only a single mission, it was too expensive, and too complicated for the average maintainer to work on. The F-15 has come a long way and is still a potent aircraft.

  568

• WE

  @West_Coast_Mainline · 3 years ago

  The f35 can’t destroy a squadron of su57s, because there isn’t a squadron of su57s!

  317

• HA

  @hawkeye2816 · 4 years ago

  Ok, so the complaint in the "F-35 can't dogfight" paper was that it couldn't win against an F-16 attacking from the rear? Neither can an F-16. That scenario is considered the most difficult dogfight out there. So much so that even experienced pilots are expected to lose if jumped from behind.

  326

• ZI

  @ZiprLips · 4 years ago

  Another piece of missing context from the "F-35 cant dogfight" report is that it was very early days of its flight control software package.  This software was missing critical parameters regarding 'energy management' which defines best turning radius and speed parameters for the computers to target during dogfighting.  Meaning, the F35 is now much better at 'pointing its nose'.  That said, its clearly not designed as an air superiority fighter.  As a multi role fighter its designed to replace f-16's and f-18's.  F-22's and in due time, the NGAD will fill the air dominance role.

  856

• EV

  @Evil.Totoro · 4 years ago

  For a historical context both the F-16 and F/A-18, along with many other fighters were heavily criticized when they entered service. But as we know now both fighter are highly successful designs.

  1.8K

• SA

  @Saltfly · 3 years ago

  I’ve noticed that the air show f35 demos have become more snappy, showing off the nimbleness of the plane. And it is pretty damn impressive. Even after watching the f16s. It does things well.

  35

• DK

  @dksl9899 · 4 years ago

  The whole "dogfighting vs. networking" thing reminds me of the cheesy climax of an action movie where the villain says "And what do you have that I don't?" and the hero(ine) says "I have FRIENDS!" and then the whole team busts in to save the day.

  185

• MA

  @mattmatt7305 · 4 years ago

  When you get old enough, as a military aviation enthusiast, you remember how EVERY new weapons system ever introduced has the same challenges and commentary.  Even today new systems and capability are being added, worldwide, to systems that have served for a while.

  439

• DA

  @davidtucker3729 · 3 years ago

  due to the many published articles knocking the F-35 I now realize that I have completely misunderstood what an F-35 really is all about. Thanks Simon as I stand corrected now

  73

• GW

  @Gwynfyd67 · 3 years ago (edited)

  As a French viewer I found really cute your pronounciation of the Dassault Rafale. You were quite right with Dassault but the e at the end of Rafale is silent. You made it sound like the firstname Raphaël which was really cute and fun to hear ;)<br>And as proud as I can be of our home made Rafale, I am still quite happy we are allies with the USA :)

  47