[rbg81]

There was a similar debate in Vietnam. Reliance on Air-to-Air missiles degraded dogfighting skills. And the AA missiles weren’t as effective as advertised. Of course, technology has improved since then, but its still a cautionary tale.

[USNBandit]

All the "it can't beat an F-16" came from a set of flight tests when the F-35 was still limited to an ludicrously low angle of attack. As subsequent tests have proven the calculated envelope, the AOA limit has been increased.

There is a good chance we won't ever know the actual limits of the aircraft, just like we don't know what the F-22 can really do. Pure speculation, but the F-35 pilot's confidence in the WVR arena is part maneuverability and part eye watering off boresight weapons system, all aspect sensors, and an unmatched helmet.

[Hulka]

And they added a gun pod because missiles were not the end-all to dog-fighting.