Originally Posted by
tdracer
But if the F-35 is no better than a 4th Gen platform (and 95% of the missions don't require stealth capability), it sort of begs the question of why we need to replace all the 4th Gen aircraft with (much more expensive) F-35s...
For example, for CAS mission, everyone is saying the A-10 isn't survivable - hence we need the F-35 to replace it. But if the F-35 is carrying a bunch of external stores (negating stealth), it wouldn't be survivable either - at least the A-10 is built to take lots of punishment and still get the pilot home - one shot into the F-35's single engine and it's not going home.
Just suggesting we need some consistency in the value of stealth...
You seem to be missing the point that the F-35 can - if, and when required - go out there in an LO config - with a meaningful (albeit not hugely impressive) loadout.
Which makes it far more useful for those “contested environments”. Which is all that anyone has ever said.
As to the “95% don’t require it”. where did you get that data… 100% of environment in SHADER maybe, but I’d wager the ratio would be different in the South China Sea, or Ukraine.