You don't know what they do, do you Snafu351?
For example - DAS = distributed aperture sensor.
This is a set of 6 IR cameras placed around the aircraft, and the F-35 is the only US aircraft with a full DAS system.
The DAS provides three basic categories of functions in every direction simultaneously:
- Missile detection and tracking (including launch point detection and countermeasure cueing)
- Aircraft detection and tracking (Situational awareness, IRST, & air-to-air weapons cueing)
- Imagery for cockpit displays and pilot vision (imagery displayed onto the helmet mounted display)
While the other aircraft have one or two cameras, they don't really do more than let him see better in a narrow field of view in small areas. Most of their visibility of with their own eyes, out of the canopy.
The F-35's DAS allows the pilot to see anywhere he turns his head - ahead, up, down, and backwards. Its as if the plane isn't there - if he looks down he doesn't see the floor of the cockpit
like he would on every other US fighter - he sees what is below the aircraft. And yes, DAS is working on the F-35 aircraft that the USAF/USMC/USN are flying.