This is a surprise to nobody. Their missions are different and so are their abilities. The F-16 (even the 2-place version) is one of the most agile fighters around. The original 1-seater was designed specifically to be an inexpensive dog-fighter and it turned out to be nearly as good as the twin-engine F-15 (which was our number one air superiority weapon).
The F-35, designed by Congress and by DOD committees, was to be a slow, stealthy, more capable ordinance platform to replace the incredible F-117 (Incredible because it flew at all).
Oldplayer
Oldplayer
This is really bad for the F-35. The F-16 was designed in the 70’s as a light weight primarily air to ground fighter. It initially wasn’t even equipped with a radar guided missile!
This test was a stacked deck for the F-35. They put it up against an older (block 40) 2 seat F-16 with 2 external Fuel tanks. 2 tanks limit the Viper’s performance dramatically. Lower the g limits, increased energy loss etc. Those tanks are called drop tanks for a reason. You burn the fuel out of them first. Then in a combat situation, drop them off the plane.
Even with the deck stacked against it the F-16 was superior. Had they used a newer, clean, single seat F-16 with modern AMRAAM’s and AIM-9 missiles... Oof.
It’s safe to assume both pilots were world class. Not too many guys make it to that level and suck.
The F-35 is not supposed to be a replacement of the F-117. And while dogfighting is overrated in the modern air combat arena, it should not be disregarded entirely.