Watch: F-35 Air Force Pilot Compared to the Lightning II vs F-16, F-22 and A-10

The hot topic in military aviation is the F-35 and how it compares to other jets like the F-16, F-22, A-10 and more. Can the F-35 beat an F-16 in a dogfight? Can it perform close air support missions like an A-10? Will a single engine jet work for the Navy flying off aircraft carriers at sea?

Listen below as a current F-35 pilot gives you his perspective on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II compared to other jets in the US inventory.

 

 

Watch Major John Wilson compare and contrast the jets

The F-35 is supposed to be a ‘replace all’ aircraft for the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. In theory, according to the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin one F-35 can replace the A-10, F-16, F-15, F-18 and Harrier. While no one is saying it will be better than any of those aircraft at their specialty they are saying it will be much cheaper and effective to have one platform than many.

Also, none of the older aircraft are stealth capable and with the advancement of missile defense systems around the world it is critical to have an aircraft that can evade enemy radar.

In addition to questions about the capability of the F-35 there have been huge cost overruns and delays that have brought criticism even from President-elect Donald Trump.

Let’s hear your comments below about the F-35 versus everything else.