ATF/ JSF question

I have a question about the F/A-22 and the F-35. F stands for fighter and usually referrs to the Air to Air role. A stands for attack and referrs to the air to ground mission. So why is the F-22, which was design primarly for the air to air mission the F/A-22 but the JSF which was conceived to fly the air to ground strike mission the F-35? Shoudn't it be the other way (EX: F-22 and F/A-35)?

Tim
ATS Director of Counter-Ignorance

Great question...

You can blame the DoD for the Raptor's designation - they kept adding capability requirements to it, including ground attack, hence the F/A.

The F-35 part I dont have a clue about - but you may also notice that the F-117 Nighthawk is anything but a fighter.

Maybe the designation will be changed to F/A-35 when the production standard model flies, a la Raptor?

Originally posted by waynos
Maybe the designation will be changed to F/A-35 when the production standard model flies, a la Raptor?

That makes sense...

It could be marketing. Many of the countries looking at buying the F35 need a fighter to defend their respective countries. Maybe the marketing team wants to make it clear that the f35 can take on the fighter only role??

Maybe it's because the F-22 most likely will be capable of air to ground attack missions. The F-35 of course is still in development and none have actually been ordered yet. Most likely it will be an F/A later on. Of course the fact that the marines version has the vertical takeoff might have something to do with it.