The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will maintain its leadership in air superiority for the next 20-30 years, despite strong efforts by China, Russia and other countries to develop new technologically advanced fighters ". General Chris Bogdan, head of the Joint Program Office F-35.
"There is nothing comparable. I would use this aircraft against any other aircraft in the world today, tomorrow and for the next 20 or 30 years and we will come out winning. "
Responding to questions about the F-35's combat capability against aircraft such as the Russian fifth-generation fighter Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA), Bogdan said the JSF is an excellent close-combat aircraft capable of tacking 9g and with maneuverability equal to our modern fighters.
Stresses Bogdan "It was not designed exclusively for this. In a scenario of visual engagement between two fighters the F-35 has so many cards to play. It will probably be able to detect the presence of the other aircraft long before it does so. 'opponent. The dogfight would be resolved in a short time, as long as you arrive ".
Bogdan commented on the program with US Defense Undersecretary Frank Kendall during the rollout ceremony of the first F-35A of the Norwegian Air Force.
Describing the classic dogfight maneuver as "rather obsolete", Kendall added: "we believe that none of the aircraft currently under development can really compete with this aircraft".
The next significant update will be the Block 4, originally divided into two main sections. It was instead redesigned to be divided into 4 segments, the first of which will be implemented in the 2019. The definition of the exact content of the update is progressing and will be completed in the coming months.
Kendall concludes "It's complicated because there are many things we would like to do with the 4 Block. "Some of our partners would like specific ammunition, other updates for electronic warfare, and so on. The 4 Block will be divided into several segments and we are trying to find the most efficient and effective way to implement it ".
(photo: Lockheed Martin)
