Why is the F-35 so special?
A. The F-35 stands in a class of its own. Unlike other modern fighter jets, it combines stealth, speed, advanced sensors and unmatched connectivity—all in one platform. It doesn’t just detect threats earlier; it also shares that information seamlessly with allies across the battlespace, acting as a force multiplier. Despite having planes in rotation, the F-35 has been plagued by structural and software issues that limit the aircraft’s time at top speed, maneuverability at certain angles of attack, and stealth capabilities. The machine gun on the F-35A variant used by the Air Force cannot even shoot straight.Anything can beat an F-35 if the F-35 is flown poorly. An F-22 would likely beat an F-35 if the F-35 is flown well. J-20s, and Su-57s are good enough to give an F-35 a good fight.The F-22 Raptor remains the world’s best pure fighter aircraft, but its service window is closing. The Air Force plans to replace the Raptor in 2030 with the F-35 and the Pentagon’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, the F-47.In raw fighter specifications, the Su-57 flat-out beats the F-35. It’s bigger, faster, has over twice the combat range, twin engines for survivability and redundancy, and carries a significantly larger and more varied payload.The F-35 Lightning II is still considered the most badass fighter jet in the world — and here’s exactly why it holds that title in 2025: 1. Stealth Mode: Ninja in the Sky The F-35’s stealth tech makes it nearly invisible to enemy radar.
How much does an F-35 cost?
The decision to start manufacturing the aircraft while it was still in development and testing led to expensive design changes and retrofits. As of July 2024, the average unit costs (excluding the engine) are: US$82. F-35A, $109 million for the F-35B, and $102. F-35C. How much does the F-35 cost? A. For Production Lots 15 through 17, the average flyaway cost of an F-35A was $82. F-35B, and $102. F-35C. The F-35 team is working across government and industry for greater affordability.The main issue with the F-35 has been its cost. The program is the most expensive weapon system in history, with lifetime costs estimated to be around $1. This staggering figure includes not only the procurement of the aircraft but also its operation and maintenance over several decades.The decision to start manufacturing the aircraft while it was still in development and testing led to expensive design changes and retrofits. As of July 2024, the average unit costs (excluding the engine) are: US$82. F-35A, $109 million for the F-35B, and $102. F-35C.
Is F-35 better than F-22?
When comparing armaments, the F-35 offers more versatility. The F-22 is a pure fighter, best at winning air battles. The F-35 can do that too, but it’s also built for air-to-ground missions, surveillance, and more. That means it plays a larger role in day-to-day military operations. In a one-on-one dogfight, the F-22 is the almost certain winner due to its superior speed, stealth, and unmatched maneuverability. However, in a beyond-visual-range engagement, the F-35’s advanced sensor fusion and networking capabilities could level the playing field.It does not have the best dogfight capabilities due to its big size (Sprey calls it “fat”) and the big engine fan behind the cockpit which limits the sight backwards, but modern air-to-air battles are supposed to be mainly BVR (beyond visual range) engagements which means that all fighters will depend on their radar- .In a one-on-one dogfight, the F-22 is the almost certain winner due to its superior speed, stealth, and unmatched maneuverability. However, in a beyond-visual-range engagement, the F-35’s advanced sensor fusion and networking capabilities could level the playing field.
Is F-35 better than F-15?
The F-15 Eagle was designed as a 1970s-era air superiority fighter, while the F-35 Lightning II was designed instead as a stealthy, networked multirole striker. In terms of raw dash speed, the F-15 is the unquestionable winner. Key Takeaway: F-22: Better for air superiority missions with superior speed and agility. F-35: More versatile for a wider range of missions, including ground attack, air-to-air combat, and ISR. Choice between the two depends on specific mission requirements and operational needs.While the F-35 is supersonic, its top speed is lower than the F-16’s because its design prioritizes stealth above all else. Its shape, radar-absorbent materials, and internal weapons bays minimize its radar cross-section, allowing it to operate in heavily contested airspace where an F-16 could not.Mission Requirements: The Rafale is better for high-speed air dominance and deep strikes, whereas the F-35 is optimized for stealth penetration and electronic warfare.Anything can beat an F-35 if the F-35 is flown poorly. An F-22 would likely beat an F-35 if the F-35 is flown well. J-20s, and Su-57s are good enough to give an F-35 a good fight.The F-35 can travel at Mach 1. F-16 at Mach 2. F-15 at Mach 2. However, military aircraft travel at sub-sonic speeds where it is practical to save fuel.
Which is costly F-35 or Rafale?
Cost: The F-35 costs $80–100 million per unit, while Rafale costs around $85 million. Customization and upgrade: The Rafale has been upgraded with new capabilities, such as the Meteor air-to-air missile, which adds to its cost. Lower production volume: The Rafale has a lower production volume compared to the F-35, which can drive up costs due to economies of scale.
Is the F-35 the most advanced fighter in the world?
The F-35 is the world’s most advanced and lethal fighter jet. The 5th Generation F-35 combines advanced stealth, sensors and information fusion in a supersonic, highly maneuverable fighter. Indeed, the F-35 is a true “quarterback” of the skies that can even feed information to naval and ground units that are connected on the same secure, classified networks. On the other hand, the F-22 is the better “dogfighting aircraft” because it is more agile and can pack more weapons.The F-22 is a pure fighter, best at winning air battles. The F-35 can do that too, but it’s also built for air-to-ground missions, surveillance, and more. That means it plays a larger role in day-to-day military operations.The key point in the Su-57’s favor is its drone integration and the ability to launch hypersonic weapons. While the F-35 has superior BVR warfighting capabilities, it so far lacks the ability to deploy hypersonic weapons or drones, or reliably defend against them.Billie Flynn spent years as a pilot in the testing program for the F-35 stealth fighter jet. He said the aircraft was very easy to fly and compared operating it to playing a video game. The fighter jet, he said, is incredibly capable and changed the understanding of what’s possible in aerial warfare.The F-35 is the world’s most advanced and lethal fighter jet. The 5th Generation F-35 combines advanced stealth, sensors and information fusion in a supersonic, highly maneuverable fighter.