re: #119 Single-handed sailor

Red Flag gives F-35A its toughest test yet

The F-35 is an amazing platform and is only getting better with each upgrade. NIFC-CA architecture (Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air) allows the aircraft to work as sensors and guidance for Aegis destroyer, B-52, or other aircraft launched standoff, cruise, or over-the-horizon missiles. From the moment it goes gear-up the aircraft starts getting sensor data from all other F-35s in the operating theater. The Artificial Intelligence on-board sorts information based on mission priority and presents it to the pilot in in an easy to understand format. It’s artificial intelligence will allow it to control drone swarms for intelligence, targeting and weapons delivery.

Still wondering with all that computer equipment and no fly-by-wire capability a small nuclear airburst or even something simple as a massive chaff release would do to all the signals processing an F-35 requires.

Not to mention the expense of the programme. For the Navy, considering its success, an upgraded F-14 would seem to be a better choice, but money is no object.

As noted in the movie “Top Gun,” Jester comments, “The F-4 is the Navy’s proof that if you put big enough engines on it you can make a brick fly.”