Padawanbater2
Well-Known Member
I have a love/hate relationship with the F-35. The avionics and instrumentation is absolutely state of the art, a 3rd grader could operate that shit! That's the biggest improvement from the last generation of fighters, it's like an iPhone, touch-n-go in that sense. Most pilots agree taking the flight procedures away from the pilot and leaving him alone to operate the weapons system is beneficial for him in combat, but the overall performance doesn't outmatch the F-22 by a long shot. BUT, one of the variants can take off and land from the carrier, dramatically increasing its range. I think it's the F-35A, shorter wingspan, lighter payload, but increased range + stealth. Nothing else in the air can compete with the F-35, let alone the F-22. I think China (our ally) is developing the first next gen (5th gen) fighter. Meanwhile we're fighting organizations like ISIS who fly ancient fuckin' Migs that might as well be WW2 era aircraft when it comes to air superiority.
Our F-15's have never been shot down in an air to air battle, and those have been operational since 1976.
In my opinion, the F-35 was always a big waste of money. But proponents of the program will argue air superiority is priceless. (I agree, but we have had that since the F-15 was in service, and the F-22 guarantees it for at least two more decades minimum).
From a fans perspective, I would rather fly the F-22 either way, even though the F-35 is newer and more advanced. The F-22 is the absolute best fighter jet in the skies today imo.
F-22
F-35
