“These aircraft work for their intended purpose and will be in the air for at least 40years.”
And that is the problem. CPU processing power expands at an exponential rate. A modern SAM radar already “sees” the 35, it just cannot sort it out processing-wise yet. In fact, the newest radars are so good that they basically see the “hole” in the sky where the stealth plane is.
Inside 5-8 years the radars will easily target the 35. Then you have a plane that has a dog rate of climb, turning radius, poor speed, crappy acceleration, etc.
You are stuck with this plane for 40 years.
Stealth is a battle of hardware vs software. The DOD has decided hardware replacement will trump speed of software.
Its an idiots position.
The 35 is a boondoggle, a failure, and will always suck except when used very carefully as a low capacity attack aircraft.
High Frequency RADARS do not see the F-35. While LF radars can, they don't have sufficient locational precision to target the aircraft. One can know it's there, maybe even be able to see it with the naked eye, but one can't target it.
And ALL OTH AA missiles use HF Radar to close and hit.