The only sensible test is a ground attack comparison.
Since a ‘22 lr could take down an F-35, the A-10 is really the obvious choice (at approximately 1% of the cost and a lot more reliability).
And yes, I was a flight test type at Edwards...back when the A-10 was competing against the A-9. (Yup, dates me.....)
Oh, the F-16 had just won against the F-17 then. The ‘16 still betters the F-35, and the losing F-17 became the Navy’s great F-18.
Agreed. But I don't think that is the point of this exercise.
They want to design tests that the A-10 can't win and the F-35 can't lose in order for them to be able to say, "See? We told you the A-10 is no longer useful. Now give us another $500 million."
What other reason would there be to hold these types of trials if not to drive another nail in the 'Hog's coffin?