Exactly. Stealth is somewhat overrated.
“Exactly. Stealth is somewhat overrated.”
Tell that to the five F-15 pilots who faced off against one F-22.
Stealth has it’s uses, but there are a lot of other missions where it isn’t a primary concern. If recent conflicts are any indication, you need (well, it reduces mission risk and improves odds of success) stealth fighter/strike sorties to knock out opposition air force and air defense units. Once you have air superiority over the battlefield, there are a whole lot of flight hours that don’t necessarily need stealth. These missions could be accomplished by an aircraft if it were very capable, reliable, proven, and at least a little bit less expensive to operate.
Yup - but the F-35's helmet-integrated avionics and weapons suite - that could turn the Eagle into something even more special.