The F-35 can be called the most scandalous and controversial military project of recent years. The car turned out to be difficult and very problematic, and the program itself has already cost the astronomical amount to Western taxpayers. This fighter has long been turned into a favorite object for criticism (and even outright bullying) of domestic “sofa patriots”, and became proof that military budgets can “cut” not only in Russia. In runet, the F-35 got the nickname “penguin” offensive to a war machine.
But all this is not important. So much money has already been invested in the project that it will surely be “brought to mind”. Much more interesting is the actual combat performance of the F-35, and who can better talk about them than the pilots who use them. Especially those of them who flew on airplanes of generations 4 and 4+ before.
What pilots say about the latest F-35 fighter
One glance at the F-35 is enough to understand how much this car differs from the fighters of previous generations: F-15, F / A-18, Su-35, Su-30 - because their development began in the 80s of the last century. . "Thirty-fifth" was created using other technologies, and its electronic "stuffing" gives pilots opportunities that they previously only had to dream about.
Analytical center The Heritage Foundation conducted a survey among American pilots who had previously dealt with fourth-generation machines, and then moved to the F-35 steering wheel. Pilots were offered to choose between their old and new aircraft, and all of them, without hesitation, preferred the “thirty-fifth”.
The former pilot instructor of the F-15 Eagle fighter told reporters that he currently has the ability to constantly win victories over his former aircraft in training battles. A pilot who had previously flown on an F-16C noted the fantastic maneuverability of the F-35. And despite the fact that the pilots are still forbidden to use the capabilities of the machine for 100%.
Three former F-16CJ pilots, designed to break through enemy air defenses, believe that one F-35 is able to find and destroy enemy air defense systems faster than three F-16CJs. It was also noted that the F-35 electronics can effectively suppress the radars of enemy fighters and air defense systems.
US Air Force Lt. Col. Matt Hayden, in an interview with Scout Warrior, said he did not know another combat aircraft in a world in which "he would feel more comfortable and confident in a combat situation." The pilot noted that the avionics of the fighter provides the pilot with the maximum level of situational awareness in the sky. At the same time, it is combined with the minimum visibility of the aircraft. Hayden believes that the fighter ideally fits the concept of "you do not see, but you see everyone." The pilot is confident that the F-35 is able to defeat any machine of the previous generation, including in the melee.
The commander of the 56th Fighter Aviation Regiment, General Scott Pleus, also highly appreciates the fighting qualities of the new car: "If you fly an F-35 into close combat, its capabilities will be exorbitant compared to fourth-generation fighters." And at long range - according to the general - the enemy will be destroyed, even without seeing the F-35.
"Thirty-fifth" is often criticized for allegedly insufficient maneuverability compared with the fighters of the previous generation. Lockheed Martin's test pilot Billy Flynn calls not to believe it. According to him, according to this characteristic, the F-35A is superior to the F / A-18, F-16 Viper and Typhoon, while it flies practically "in combat configuration", that is, its entire payload is "hidden" in the internal compartments. Fighters of the fourth generation have to go into battle with missiles and hanging tanks, placed under the wing and fuselage, which significantly worsens their LTH.
