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F-35 beaten in a dogfight by F-16
Daily Mail ^ | 6/30/15 | Imogen Calderwood

Posted on 06/30/2015 11:52:34 AM PDT by Teflonic

It’s the most expensive weapon in history, but the F-35 stealth jet has been outperformed by a 40-year-old F-16 jet in a dogfight.

A mock air battle was held over the Pacific Ocean, between the cutting-edge F-35, the most sophisticated jet ever, and an F-16, which was designed in the 1970s.

But according to the test pilot, the F-35, which has cost the US military more than $350billion, is still too slow to hit an enemy plane or dodge gunfire.

The dogfight, staged in January near Edwards Air Force Base, California, was designed to test the F-35’s ability in close-range combat at 10,000 to 30,000 feet.

Both the F-35 pilot and the F-16 pilot were attempting to ‘shoot down’ each other down.

But, according to the pilot’s report, the F-35 performed so appallingly that he deemed it completely inappropriate for fighting other aircraft within visual range.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: davidaxe; f16; f35; pos; usaf; warisboring; wasteofmoney
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To: SaveFerris

You are 100% correct, see my post #39


41 posted on 06/30/2015 12:34:45 PM PDT by 11th Commandment ("THOSE WHO TIRE LOSE")
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To: 11th Commandment

;)


42 posted on 06/30/2015 12:35:58 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: pfflier

The F-16 and the F-18 were both sold as cheap alternatives to more expensive aircraft. We are very lucky that both of them were physically big enough to develop into the platforms those stripped down aircraft were intended to avoid. Both programs have been very successful.


43 posted on 06/30/2015 12:36:14 PM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: 11th Commandment

It’s not intended to be one, but it does an eye watering job of it, despite not having the helmet.


44 posted on 06/30/2015 12:38:16 PM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: MCF

Are you implying that missile technology in the late 50s was comparable to what it is now? Seriously?

In the Gulf War, every kill on an Iraqi aircraft was done with a BVR missile.

Dogfights are what happens when you screw up. Heck, the guns simply don’t carry enough ammunition to make dogfighting anything but a last resort.


45 posted on 06/30/2015 12:38:28 PM PDT by drbuzzard (All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others.)
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To: TheThirdRuffian

[I’ll give you one guess as to the nationality of the pilot in the F-16.]

Wouldn’t be surprised one bit. They have a lot of dogfight training and experience.


46 posted on 06/30/2015 12:38:49 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: drewh

Back when he had hair.


47 posted on 06/30/2015 12:42:20 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: TheThirdRuffian

I think the idea of making a good fighter and then putting bombs on it works. The other way, not so much


48 posted on 06/30/2015 12:43:25 PM PDT by lavaroise (A well regulated gun being necessary to the state, the rights of the militia shall no)
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To: Vendome

Realistically, we would have to be in a very tight situation before they would even commit an F-35 to a combat arena where it would have a serious challenge. At $350 Million+ per copy, they could not afford to have one shot down. If one was shot down, then the Air Force would face having the program canceled, or curtailed, and they certainly don’t want to lose their new toy.


49 posted on 06/30/2015 12:45:15 PM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (0bama may not be THE antiCHRIST, but he's definitely ANTI - CHRIST!)
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To: Vendome

This cartoon is closer to the truth than that fiction excuse for a movie....

50 posted on 06/30/2015 12:52:08 PM PDT by fishtank (The denial of original sin is the root of liberalism.)
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To: Teflonic

We need the F15 silent eagle... heck, a silent Hornet would do wonders against the F35


51 posted on 06/30/2015 12:53:01 PM PDT by lavaroise (A well regulated gun being necessary to the state, the rights of the militia shall no)
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To: Political Junkie Too
the F-35 was unladen

Could it carry a 1 pound coconut?

52 posted on 06/30/2015 12:55:04 PM PDT by Poison Pill
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To: Vendome

More here: The F-35 Can’t Beat The Plane It’s Replacing In A Dogfight: Report
http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-f-35-cant-beat-the-plane-its-replacing-in-a-dogfigh-1714712248

Also another link at the sight:
Major Obvious: F-35 Pilot Says A-10 Will Always Be Better At Air Support

F-35 pilot Major John Wilson said the obvious in an interview with Danish aviation reporters


53 posted on 06/30/2015 12:57:21 PM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: USNBandit
Both were conceived as low cost "gap fillers" designed to support, at the start, the F-14 and F-15.

Initially I think the F-16s were tactically considered more expendible even to the point of taking on the role of bait and decoys. They weren't considered as first class air dominance fighters. You can probably speak better for the Navy about the F/A-18 but I suspect that a similar mindset prevailed.

Obviously each proved superb for all the roles assigned and many not considered when designed. The Growler configuration comes to mind.

Frankly the F-16 can hold its own against 5th generation planes in terms of handling qualities. It only comes up short when the aerial battlefield suits the design philosophy of 5th generation fighters..

54 posted on 06/30/2015 12:57:41 PM PDT by pfflier
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To: Sparky1776

Those were the days...

My husband served in the 388 TFW at Hill AFB 1979 to 1981 when he retired.


55 posted on 06/30/2015 12:58:12 PM PDT by chronicles
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To: SaveFerris

“They’ve been banking, no pun intended, on BVR for a long, long time now.”

Want to bet the rules of engagement are that the pilot must have a visual before pulling the trigger? Our political masters give away every advantage for the warfighter.


56 posted on 06/30/2015 12:59:55 PM PDT by Gen.Blather
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To: drbuzzard; LeonardFMason
And then there was this little gem of a picture.


That is an F-22 caught in the gun-sight of an F/A-18 Super Hornet.

"Ceterum censeo 0bama esse delendam."

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)

LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

57 posted on 06/30/2015 1:05:09 PM PDT by LonePalm (Commander and Chef)
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To: drewh
Tower, this is Ghost Rider requesting a flyby.

Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

58 posted on 06/30/2015 1:06:24 PM PDT by Veggie Todd (The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. TJ)
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To: Teflonic

ping


59 posted on 06/30/2015 1:06:33 PM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (The Second Amendment, a Matter of Fact, Not A Matter of Opinion)
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To: Gen.Blather

I’m sure the caliphate will order whatever is necessary to weaken America.


60 posted on 06/30/2015 1:08:22 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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