My concern on the F-35 is that compared to other fighters its kinematic performance is compromised. For all those partner nations that don't have an F-22 to sweep the sky that makes it a dubious choice.

The stealth characteristics are fundamental to the airframe. Over the next 20 years radars are going to evolve while the stealth performance of the F-35 really cant. When you negate the stealth you get an aircraft that isn't going to have a fun time against advanced Flankers of PAK-FA.

It cant turn well, cant run well and has a limited internal weapons payload. What is it going to do when some of its long range first shots miss? Which they will since they will be near max range for the AMRAAM and Px kill will not be near 100%.

i worry that compromising the airframe performance to achieve a modicum of stealth, and accommodate a STOVL architecture is too much compromise for something that needs to be able to achieve air superiority for 20+ years.

The problem with "stealth" aircraft that are not intended to "reflect" microwaves pointed at them.....they become anodes and absorb the microwaves and other frequencies pointed at them.

Which is easier to "see"......an aircraft reflecting away energy thats pointed at it....or something designed to absorb it all?

I don't think engineers are going to have a problem "seeing" aircraft that are anodes. As long as they have satellites and a ground station they can "see" where there's a moving spot absorbing microwave emissions.

"Stealth"......no longer is an applicable military tool.

That's why the Pentagon is switching to those tiny automated or remote control aircraft....bit harder to see. They have less of an "ANODE" effect.

Stealth really is dead. It's now miniturization.

Thanks for the link.

How long do you think it will take for these aircraft to go from testing and evaluation to combat operation?

And in more fun news for the F-35 program, a brand new F-35 on the way from Fort Worth to Nellis was forced to make a "precautionary landing" in Lubbock TX after a warning light came on in the cockpit. The two aircraft were flying to their new home on Monday when one was forced to land. The second continued on to Nellis safely.

New Pentagon super fighter will get pilots shot down, warns report

The U.S. Air Force version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has shortcomings that will get pilots shot down in combat, according to a leaked Pentagon report evaluating combat testing of the plane.

I have problems with eneding the link. Just look up: Pentagon super fighter will get pilots shot down

F35 = big investment in high technology that isnt working as well as it's supposed to, it's trying to be a jack of all trades but rapidly proving that its master of none. The F35 is a good concept but it's not the aircraft we need right now for the operations that are happening and have been happening for the last 10 years. the airforce (USAF/RAF) always love to get the newest most advanced toys but what we need is a low tech option for ground support, helicopters are good but turn around time and loiter time are not the best and using a missile costing a lot of £$00000000 is not cost effective. A prop plane such as a Skyraider or Hawker Sea Fury would be more cost effective and be able to be produced in larger numbers. We already have the euro fighter for air superiority so for fighting the mad mullahs in caves why not use the low tech option.