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.
1. The article mentions the "aerodynamic disadvantage" to the F-16 caused by the external Fuel tanks. Can you quantify this disadvantage...does it degrade the plane's maneuvering abilities by 10%, 20%, 30%???
2. Do current tactics call for the external fuel tanks to be jettisoned if the F-16 finds itself in a dog-fight (unless absolutely needed to RTB?
Thanks
#32 It would be interesting if it was a F-35 vs a MIG15 : )