Originally Posted by
Rhino power
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?
Yes because it is still the most advanced system in existence. Who can produce something equally capable any faster? By virtue of the minds, money and other resources being applied, it is certainly better than anything else on the cards. However, bear in mind that
every weapon system is 'obsolete' from the moment it is developed because someone somewhere will have started working on a more advanced countermeasure.
Originally Posted by
Rhino power
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?
You've answered your own question unless you can identify a previous weapon system that has not
eventually been surpassed or countered through technological development.