Originally Posted by TEEEJ
Joint Program Office Response to “War is Boring” Blog
The F-35 involved was AF-2, which is an F-35 designed for flight sciences testing, or flying qualities, of the aircraft.
Hm, if memory serves TRO wasn't noted by the pilot performing the test which suggests it has up to date control laws.
Aircraft AF-2 did not have the mission systems software to use the sensors that allow the F-35 to see its enemy long before it knows the F-35 is in the area. Second, AF-2 does not have the special stealth coating that operational F-35s have that make them virtually invisible to radar. And third, it is not equipped with the weapons or software that allow the F-35 pilot to turn, aim a weapon with the helmet, and fire at an enemy without having to point the airplane at its target.
...which means the plane is lighter than the production version, so the results for the line aircraft are probably even worse.