We heard the same thing about the F-16 in 1978. The “electric jet” is falling out of the sky in droves (it did take a lot of losses in its first 10 years of service). It has too much electronics, too much complexity, how is a guy supposed to fix something that requires a degree in electrical engineering just to read the drawing?
Agreed, but how long has it been since USAF/USN faced a wholly competent enemy AF?
In VN, most opponents flew outdated MiG-17, and their top guys got loads of kills.
In Korea, our F-84 was no match for the MiG-17, and with the F-86, it was a tie. We got more kills due to better pilots v. the Norks, but against the “secret” Russian pilots flying for the Norks, the kill ratio was even.
In DS, even against the Iraqis, the F-15 drivers admitted the fights were not one sided.
I love our a/c, think the F-22 is great, but would you want to be in a knife flight against a skilled Su-35 pilot?
Stealth is great..... until the Pentagon says all shots must follow eye-ball range confirmation that enemy is really the enemy.