I discussed this at length with several AF buddies I know, including pilots.
The media reports on the F-35 and F-16 flight is less than forthcoming and amounts to a tempest in a teapot. The F-35 involved was AF-2, which is an F-35 designed for flight sciences testing, or flying qualities, of the aircraft. It is not equipped with items that make today’s production F-35s 5th Generation fighters. AF-2 did not have the mission systems software to use the sensors that allow the F-35 to see its enemy long before it knows the F-35 is in the area. AF-2 does not have the special stealth coating that operational F-35s have that make them virtually invisible to radar. AF-2 is not equipped with the weapons or software that allow the F-35 pilot to turn, aim a weapon with the helmet, and fire at an enemy without having to point the airplane at its target.
The tests cited by the detractors were done earlier this year to test the flying qualities of the F-35 to stress the system, and the F-16 involved was used as a visual reference only. As I said, in addition, the entire program, which is still in a test and evaluation mode, has not had its full agility and maneuvering envelope opened up for any air to air test like close in dogfighting yet.
But I will say this. Given the Off Angle capabilities the F-35 has already shown, and given its other capabilities...when it does reach operational capabilities with all the gloves off...it is going to turn and burn with the F-16 and about any other fighter currently available outside of the F-22. And the F-22 pilots are going to have to watch out and respect this bird too. Watch and see if this is not so in a few years.
This aircraft design was doomed before it ever left the drawing board.
Trying to design an aircraft for air superiority, ground attack, ISR, close air support, carrier use (single engine = deadly), STOVL, SEAD and other missions simply guarantees it will be terrible at ALL of them. Not great....not good....just terrible.
Envision a car that is designed to be great/very good at drag racing, oval racing, off-road racing and rally racing. Now think how that vehicle will stack up against any special-use vehicle built by any decent builder. No contest....the race is over before the cars are built.
Same thing with the JSF....the finest engineering in the world cannot make a turd fly like a bird.