[taildragger]

"You have been lied to again"

Yes it is probably better than we realize. However I look at all the underside undulations in the fuselage and wing area and how that may effect it as a bit of a lifting body, and in formation flights with WWII aircraft and Ariel Refueling it is at High Alpha spewing wing tip vortices and all I can come back to is man, it needs more wing area...

[bmwcyle]

If it did not work, Israel would not buy it.

[publius911]

Hey, what does a Disney character have to do with this, anyway?

[GBA]

For what it is designed to do, the F-35 is likely the best in the world and, with constant engine and system revisions and improvements, it will continue to be for a long time to come.

It does seem to trade some wing area for engine, but with a smaller wing area, I bet the ride is pilot friendly smooth at lower altitudes.

Personally, I’m curious about its agility now as it becomes operational and the flight software is perfected and limitations removed.

I’ll bet it’s maneuverability is much better than the rumors claim, but, otoh, I do like how it’s misunderestimated now, just like the now beloved F-16 and the F/A-18 used to be when they were the new kids.