Originally Posted by Duchess_Driver
I thought the whole point of the current generation of fighter was that the whole integrated avionics/sensor/weapons/AWACS datalink package meant that the threat was dealt with at a much greater range and therefore the need to turn,climb or run was much reduced.
You're right of course, but it's not as simple as commonly portrayed.
As we talk, USAF develops the CONOPS to maximize JSF's advantages over a hypothetical opposition
as shown in this article, where Lt. Col. Raja Chari gives a few insights on the matter;
Question: There is an evolution of the tactics coming from places like Yuma and Nellis as they start to learn fifth generation combat F-35 style.
How does that feed in to your efforts?
Answer: The OT squadron here is a clear player in that domain and we work together closely and feedback goes both ways.
But the tactics OT is developing are very different.
We are likely not going to do visual formations with the F-35 tactically; you are operating over multiple tens of miles and flying distributed ops where you can have completely different functions or tasks being performed by those aircraft within the same four-ship.
You are essentially spreading out the geometry of air combat.
You are not simply operating in or patrolling a lane but operating a much wider variable geometry.
Now, the tactic he's talking about here is similar to what F22s employ, but with one major difference...the F35 doesn't have F22's flight performance.
So, maximizing stealth and SA advantage by spreading the formation is great, but you also must have performance to be able to put yourself into required position (react) once the situation develops.
Also note that JSF isn't invisible and it's likely that a peer opposition is gonna be able to see it but not track it, so flight performance again plays an important role if the enemy decides to press the points on your already scattered formation.
There's a reason why virtually every military service (well, except ICBM subs, I suppose) operate in numbers and while F22 can afford to spread, since it can contract fast enough to meet most oncoming threats, the F35 isn't in the same position and while its LO/SA does offer significant advantages, blanket unquantified statements like this don't really help the matter since they don't address the complete picture.