High - Low mix is the stated Pentagon objective.
There are F-15s that will fly into the 2030s.
The difference between US forces and those of China/Russia is that we will fly a much greater number of real stealth aircraft, and the high/low mix will be FULLY networked and networked with ships, AWACS and multiple other sensor platforms.
Within a decade we will field armed stealth drones which will also be part of the extended network.
A true point and shoot 360deg view of the battle space.
All the pilot has to do is look at the target and depress their thumb, without regard to which platform releases the missile.
Again - what happens when the AWACS gets taken out and our pilots have to search for targets themselves?
Remember, the paradigm for today’s warfare environment in a peer or near-peer conflict is, “You radiate, you die.”
“All the pilot has to do is look at the target and depress their thumb, without regard to which platform releases the missile”
According to the article, the F-35 can’t use the sidewinder with that capability unless it gives up the AIM-120 that lets it take advantage of stealth and shoot BVR. That means it has to get into visual range -where it should never be- against any fighter. A 35s only chance is to use its moderate stealth to shoot before it is seen and at a stand off distance. If it carries the sidewinder, it is committing on takeoff to no air to air except in its most poor performing environment. Don’t forget, the moonpig is so slow it cannot outrun anything else fielded. So it even has a tough time breaking contact.
The other option is sidewinders on pods, but then you have no stealth and are again very exposed.