I personally hold the opinion that the F-35 is a overpriced missile magnet. It is no longer even recognized as a stealth aircraft. It is being called semi-stealth. not to mention the projected over all program cost is 1.5 Trillion dollars!
That is unbelievable! This isn't even going into the fact that it can't maneuver is too slow with a top speed of only MACH 1.6 which makes it substantially slower than any other fighter currently used by the US. Also there is its tiny payload at maximum it can only hold about 4 air to air missiles in its "stealth" layout. If it wants to carry anymore weapons it has to sacrifice what little stealth it has. I say this program needs to be killed.
But hey if this program is killed there are no better options. Actually no there are several aircraft that have the same capabilities as the F-35 for substantially less.
So lets lay this out with the specs, starting with those of the F-35 then the alternatives
F-35 Lightning II
Top Speed: Mach 1.6
Combat Radius: 613 Nautical Miles
Weapons: 4 missiles, or 2 missiles and 2 bombs internally. Other weapons can be carried on the wings
Other Notable equipment: AESA radar
Stealth ability: Semi-Stealthy
Cost: A variant: 114 million dollars per plane, B variant: 142 million dollars per plane,C variant: 132 million dollars per plane
Top Speed: Mach 1.8
Combat Radius:650 Nautical Miles
Weapons: 4 missiles, or 2 missiles and 2 bombs in center line weapons pod. Other weapons can be carried on the wings.
Other Notable equipment: AESA radar
Stealth ability: Semi-Stealth
F-15SE Stealth Eagle
Top Speed: Mach 2.5
Combat Radius: 800 Nautical Miles
Weapons: 4 internally carried missiles. other than that same load out as the F-15E Strike Eagle
Other Notable equipment: AESA radar
Stealth Ability: Semi-Stealth
Cost: 100 million dollars per plane
(Note: Although the F-15SE is almost as expensive as the F-35 it is based on a a proven jet with the best air to air record in History during the 1st Gulf War 34 enemy kills with no losses.)
Don't agree with me? Great! Tell me in the comments.
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