Yes, it is supposed to be a bomb truck, and that is where it’s a spectacular fail. We are basically buying a stealth bomber, with networked fighter thinking, to do the job of a mudfighter.
It will never equal even the original F-18 or 16. Its a dog as a fighter, a second rate stealth plane, and the CAS capability is an afterthought. And we are buying a fleet of them.
It is worse that every plane it replaces, and in every role is takes over. Im waiting for the tanker and COD version.
Well the Air Force wrote the spec when they decided that they didn’t want to take any non-stealth aircraft into a MEZ.
You make my point exactly. I never suggested that the F-22 was interchangeable but I did say it is a good airplane. The fact that being a mudfighter is not the role of the F-22 is why I suggested the F-15SE could easily do the job of the 35... fly further, with two engines, with a bigger load... it is a dump truck.