Yes Maus, it does but you know what? Air Superiority isn't guaranteed and sometimes you just have to get on with what you have and do the best you can for the guys and girls under fire.
My point is this; for many countries outside of the good 'ole USA, the F-35 offers the only tangible means of being self-sufficient in establishing that "local Air Superiority" and delivering success in a contested and complex environment without sustaining unpalatable aircraft losses. I sense you are taking the statement from the article too far. The challenging conditions of very poor weather, where the only means of establishing SA is to utilise a well-placed SAR map, is of low probability and duration. What the article clearly tries to state - and rather over-emphasises - is the utility of a 5th Generation platform, genuinely capable of conducting a number of roles in rather unique circumstances; it simply tries to accentuate the strengths under such circumstances and certainly doesn't mean that rationale applies to all scenarios and conditions.
Positive identification, either by direct ID or reference to features backed up by comm (voice or digital), is absolutely NOT akin to taking a SAR map and releasing a weapon, Danger Close, on a whim or hunch. Indeed, military CAS training involves a plethora of stressing scenarios to stretch the problem solving skills of both JTAC and aircrews to achieve the desired effects. Utilisation of a SAR map is one of many available "means" and not necessarily the "way".
Last edited by MSOCS; 3rd Mar 2015 at 22:15.