Quote:
Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH
"The F-35’s design is optimized for “low-observable” stealth when viewed from the front, with less stealth to radars looking at it from the sides, and less still when targeted from the rear. It also lacks the Raptor’s supercruise (sustained flight above Mach 1) and super-maneuverability thrust-vectoring options, which work with stealth to help the F-22 engage and disengage from combat at will. Lockheed Martin claims that the F-35 design is optimized for trans-sonic acceleration, but testing results question those claims, and the Raptor can cruise without afterburners at the F-35’s theoretical maximum speed. That’s important, because fuel usage skyrockets with afterburners on, limiting total supersonic time for fighters like the F-35.
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In theory (always love that word
) as a ground attack aircraft F-35s should be escorted my fighters to it's flanks and above so there shouldn't be much threat to it's sides. If someone's behind you that's ALWAYS a problem, and it's not like you can outrun (unless you're in an SR-71) most air-to-air missiles or SAMs in the first place. The frontal-arc stealth is exactly what's needed to "hide" from whatever is in it's target area.
I keep trying to stress the F-35 IS NOT a "fighter" (I know most here understand that, but "Joe Average" can't quite seem to figure it out). It's a replacement for the A-10 and F-15/16 in ground attack roles.