chienfou Loc: Valley Stream, NY

Came upon this interesting article on the Air Force plans on using F-22 & F-35 together, which seems a great match.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/11/18/f-22-f-35-train-together/

But the last two sentences, [ The F-35 is not built as an air superiority platform. It needs the F-22.”

That’s why the U.S. Air Force has already started to team Joint Strike Fighters with Raptors."] left me with two questions: Where does that leave the Navy with no F-22? and doesn't that expose the limitations of the F-35?

catfish252

We need to can the F-35, I can't believe that now the AF is claiming it is not an Air Superiority fighter. I was led to believe that air superiority was the entire drive behind purchasing the F-35. It's one thing if the 2 airplanes complement each other and allow for a greater fighting capability, but it's entirely different if the F-35 can't survive without the F-22 Raptor providing some sort of cover. It's time for the F-35 to get a real good investigation by real experts, not the AF or government. We need to know exactly what we are buying especially at that price.

machia Loc: NJ

The F-35 is certainly a controversial airplane in so many areas but this article is quite the eye opener . There are no more F-22's rolling off the assembly line and the Navy continues to iron out problems with their F-35's , ( F-35C ) , and their 1979 designed airplane , the FA-18 continues to be the real workhorse for the fleet .
Some say the F-35 was too bold of a concept in that it is supposed to cover so many different aerial roles for 3 different services, but a real master at none .
This article has really caught my attention and will look further into this. As a tax payer I'm 100% commited to National Defense , but I like to know that an expensive weapon system like this one can get the job done .
This airplane has certainly had her problems in the early going, right down to a design flaw in her arresting hook that didn't allow her to catch an arresting wire aboard an aircraft carrier .
Thank you for posting this .

mikedidi46 Loc: WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA

Nice article

WereWolf1967 Loc: Knoxville, TN

That's what all those FA-18F super Hornets are for. They may not be stealthy but they sure are great air superiority platforms.

WereWolf1967 Loc: Knoxville, TN

Oh Hell, that's simple, "A Pig in a Poke"!!!

catfish252

I believe you are correct Werewolf, except the Military buyers are the pigs and we are getting poked.

chienfou Loc: Valley Stream, NY

F-18 are getting old and what have they gone up against? Never a Russian pilot, and when they exercise against Israeli, British,German or French pilots we don't know the results.

machia Loc: NJ

For get about it .
The FA-18 is a lethal airplane , and the #1 factor is who is sitting in the cockpit . And that would be a US Naval pilot, the very best in the world, no contest . Absolutely none .
And don't forget about the FA-18 upgrades . This airplane will be with the fleet for another 2 decades, it's that good .