F-35 Dominating the skies? The F-35 had 15:1 kill ratio in latest Red Flag excercise. http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a25078/f-35-red-flag-war-games/...

chienfou Loc: Valley Stream, NY

The F-35 had 15:1 kill ratio in latest Red Flag excercise.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a25078/f-35-red-flag-war-games/

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Interesting article.

richosob Loc: Lambertville, MI

chienfou wrote:

The F-35 had 15:1 kill ratio in latest Red Flag excercise.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a25078/f-35-red-flag-war-games/

Don't understand why so many people are putting this aircraft down as being way too expensive and that it's not a dominant fighter in the skies. They claim Russian and Chinese planes will dominate the F-35. I think it's a great plane and this exercise proves it.

Rich

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

chienfou wrote:

The F-35 had 15:1 kill ratio in latest Red Flag excercise.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a25078/f-35-red-flag-war-games/

Maybe, but I'm doubtful. This plane has been plagued with operational deficiencies all along. I find it hard to believe that it all of a sudden turned into a champ.

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

Of the number available what % were down for repair at any given time? They may be the greatest thing in the air but they aren't worth squat if it takes too much maintenance to keep them in the air. For our sake I hope they are as good as purported to be but I am a doubting Thomas.

MtnMan Loc: ID

richosob wrote:

Don't understand why so many people are putting this aircraft down as being way too expensive and that it's not a dominant fighter in the skies. They claim Russian and Chinese planes will dominate the F-35. I think it's a great plane and this exercise proves it.

Rich

But they are far too expensive ($130 million each). The pilot's helmet alone is over $400,000! I suspect maintenance costs parallel price.

We'd do better converting f16s to drones ($19 m @).

chienfou Loc: Valley Stream, NY

richosob wrote:

Don't understand why so many people are putting this aircraft down as being way too expensive and that it's not a dominant fighter in the skies. They claim Russian and Chinese planes will dominate the F-35. I think it's a great plane and this exercise proves it.

Rich

This plane can do so much. It's expensive yes, but it's still in development and giving us 15:1 kill ratio. I'll take it.

chienfou Loc: Valley Stream, NY

jerryc41 wrote:

Maybe, but I'm doubtful. This plane has been plagued with operational deficiencies all along. I find it hard to believe that it all of a sudden turned into a champ.

Jerry, it also had a high kill ratio in last year's Red flag's exercise.

chienfou Loc: Valley Stream, NY

dragonfist wrote:

Of the number available what % were down for repair at any given time? They may be the greatest thing in the air but they aren't worth squat if it takes too much maintenance to keep them in the air. For our sake I hope they are as good as purported to be but I am a doubting Thomas.

Dragonfist, keep in mind it's still in development. When a new problem is found they usually ground the whole fleet as a precaution for inspection and to learn how widespread the problem may be. It doesn't mean that the whole fleet can't fly

chienfou Loc: Valley Stream, NY

MtnMan wrote:

But they are far too expensive ($130 million each). The pilot's helmet alone is over $400,000! I suspect maintenance costs parallel price.

We'd do better converting f16s to drones ($19 m @).

MtnMan, the next batch is around $100 million. F16 drones will be just as vulnerable as a regular F16 and would be unable to penetrate and silence air defenses.

chienfou Loc: Valley Stream, NY

dragonfist wrote:

Of the number available what % were down for repair at any given time?

Just came across the answer to your question. 90% mission capable. check it out!

http://breakingdefense.com/2017/02/f-35a-at-red-flag-90-mission-capable-key-systems-up-every-flight/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=42654408&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9-NJ42CXLvEpXuTKutaPu4ckahiWax6SuNxzqS4GyMfQU962rHx9TecXq4QnvxDfzLbOFrUbtpgduXdgtqKngZSCRUzw&_hsmi=42654408

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

I read it but having worked in aircraft maintenance planning in the armed forces I don't think they can maintain that availability rate constantly. I could be and hopefully am wrong. Those young pilots want their shiny new toy and might just fudge on facts a bit to get it.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

chienfou wrote:

The F-35 had 15:1 kill ratio in latest Red Flag excercise.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a25078/f-35-red-flag-war-games/

What were the "enemy" fighters in this excersise so as to achieve a 15-1 kill ratio? The problem with the JSF-joint strike fighter- or F35is that in trying to be an all service air frame. it is NOT an air superiority fighter.

chienfou Loc: Valley Stream, NY

boberic wrote:

What were the "enemy" fighters in this excersise so as to achieve a 15-1 kill ratio? The problem with the JSF-joint strike fighter- or F35is that in trying to be an all service air frame. it is NOT an air superiority fighter.

The enemy consisted of 4th generation fighters, Nato fliers, sometimes guess countries like India and Israel. By the way they hold this war game every year. The f15 and f16 loose regularly against the f22 and f35.

http://www.dreamlandresort.com/info

richosob Loc: Lambertville, MI

chienfou wrote:

This plane can do so much. It's expensive yes, but it's still in development and giving us 15:1 kill ratio. I'll take it.

I'm with you.

Rich