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DetlefK

(16,423 posts) Tue Jun 30, 2015, 12:34 PM Jun 2015

F-35 at its best fails to beat a F-16 at its worst in a dogfight [View all]

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-f-35-cant-beat-the-plane-its-replacing-in-a-dogfigh-1714712248

"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:

Even with the limited F-16 target configuration, the F-35A remained at a distinct energy disadvantage for every engagement."

...

"And to add insult to injury, the JSF flier discovered he couldn’t even comfortably move his head inside the radar-evading jet’s cramped cockpit. “The helmet was too large for the space inside the canopy to adequately see behind the aircraft.” That allowed the F-16 to sneak up on him."

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The only way the F-35 was able to beat the F-16 was a desperate maneuver that is too risky for anything else but a 1:1 engagement.

57 replies

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Highlight:

F-35 at its best fails to beat a F-16 at its worst in a dogfight [View all] DetlefK Jun 2015 OP

$148 million? What's its purpose?... Guess I answered my own question. n/t lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #1

How much does an F-35 cost? Uncle Joe Jun 2015 #2

If you have to ask... HassleCat Jun 2015 #8

The plane is obsolete NOW, if it got its ass kicked in a dogfight by an F-16. Volaris Jun 2015 #16

I have seen numbers from $150 million to $250 million a copy Kelvin Mace Jun 2015 #10

Depending on the model and extras...fly away for $232 to $337 million each... Octafish Jun 2015 #13

Likewise, Octafish. Uncle Joe Jun 2015 #14

I really wonder if aerial combat between two MineralMan Jun 2015 #3

That was said after every war after 1945. hobbit709 Jun 2015 #5

That's what they assumed at the beginning of the Vietnam War. Costly mistake. leveymg Jun 2015 #7

Still, that was 50 years ago. MineralMan Jun 2015 #17

Tell that to the US military, which counts on air superiority or supremacy just as much leveymg Jun 2015 #25

The cost of the last couple of generations of fighter aircraft has MineralMan Jun 2015 #27

Makes sense to me, as I'm sure the JCS feel the same way. leveymg Jun 2015 #28

In many ways, it's "boys and their toys" for the military. MineralMan Jun 2015 #30

It depends. jeff47 Jun 2015 #12

I don't remember where I read it, but somewhere there is an article that said that other militaries rwsanders Jun 2015 #39

The guy who designed the F-16 believes all fighters should be fantastic dogfighters jeff47 Jun 2015 #47

John Boyd Paulie Jul 2015 #50

Open rebellion against Osprey II HassleCat Jun 2015 #4

What a total disaster. stevenleser Jun 2015 #6

"Total disaster" - How can you say that? gratuitous Jun 2015 #45

Sounds like a PR campaign for the Top Gun remake underpants Jun 2015 #9

A reflection of America's position in the world AZ Progressive Jun 2015 #11

I'm not sure it's such a valid comparison. jeff47 Jun 2015 #15

Actually it was supposed to replace the F-16, A-10 and F/A-18 hornet stevenleser Jun 2015 #20

Replace those aircraft in role. None of those is used as a dogfighter. jeff47 Jun 2015 #24

Sounds like it's time for us to contract Lockheed Martin to build us a new design fighter Jet corkhead Jun 2015 #18

They already have, only it isn't manned. leveymg Jun 2015 #31

Comment from article tammywammy Jun 2015 #19

"One that is superior over all but the most elite US fighter aircraft. " geek tragedy Jun 2015 #21

No, that's the F-22. But F-22's are even more expensive than F-35s. (nt) jeff47 Jun 2015 #26

looks like MIC bingo is not my game nt geek tragedy Jun 2015 #29

Only because we made under 200 of the things. sir pball Jul 2015 #53

IIRC, the Navy didn't like how big they were jeff47 Jul 2015 #55

I think that was the YF-23 sir pball Jul 2015 #56

F-35 is paid for by the partner countries too. tammywammy Jul 2015 #57

Not good news if the war-mongers have their way and all-out war erupts in Ukraine... truebrit71 Jun 2015 #22

But it made the defense industry a lot of money. Oneironaut Jun 2015 #23

Failed to learn the Lessons of the F-111 hardluck Jun 2015 #32

what I always wonder onethatcares Jun 2015 #33

But..but...we have to spend billions on both because aerial combat is so common! Tierra_y_Libertad Jun 2015 #34

Not at all surprised. ffr Jun 2015 #35

LOL. In five years, I have a hunch that the F-35 is going to make its critics eat crow Downtown Hound Jun 2015 #36

If it doesn't can we demand a full refund plus interest? Orrex Jun 2015 #38

Never heard anyone say the F-16 is the best dogfighter ever but your point has merit. stevenleser Jun 2015 #44

One plane would pay how many teachers for 10 years? Ichingcarpenter Jun 2015 #37

I guess they don't make planes like they used too.... blackspade Jun 2015 #40

No, the F-35 is simply a bastard-breed. DetlefK Jul 2015 #49

Thus my comment. blackspade Jul 2015 #54

Check Six! DemoTex Jun 2015 #41

That's why pilots wore silk scarves.... Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2015 #46

You can't in the F-35. Big blind spot. Where are the pitchforks? KeepItReal Jun 2015 #48

One of my friends is a (now retired) navy test pilot Sen. Walter Sobchak Jun 2015 #42

I'll take Dead Giveaways for $1000, Alex whatchamacallit Jun 2015 #43

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, HFRN Jul 2015 #51

This is just more horrible unjustified military waste. Enthusiast Jul 2015 #52