Originally Posted by
Just This Once...
Perhaps the ability to get in and out of an IADS may be something rather relevant?
I'd suggest it's been relevant for as long as radar has been operationally effective, the serious effort to defeat radar as part of an air defence network started as far back as WWII and the SEAD mission evolved from there.
IF the F-35 provides the edge over current IADS that it is supposed to do, that's undoubtedly a great operational asset but, given how late into service it is, will it still provide that edge over updated and in development systems? Will the updating of the onboard sensors/avionics be enough to counter the ever evolving IADS threat, or will the basic airframe and LO technologies built into it be the ultimate limiting factor?
There is little doubt that the F-35 will eventually, once FOC is achieved, be an impressive jet and a considerable advance over current platforms but...
-RP