I read an article the other day which said current IRST has the ability to detect the engine exhaust from an F-35 60 miles away. The Su-35 has both IRST and L band radar, the L band perhaps having the capability to see the F-35 100 miles away. That would be before the F-35 can see the Su-35. Are these statements true?
Also, it was stated the F-22 pilots are limited to flying the F-22s to only 10-12 hours per month. It costs $58,000 per flight hour or 42 man-hours of maintenance per flight hour. Half the man-hours are spent repairing the RAM coating. The USAF can't afford more air hours. Would these statements be somewhat accurate?
I wonder what happens when the three services get 500 F-35s to take care of from a cost point of view?