The F-35 thread

Random fact the B-52 has more air to air kills than the F-35.

Isn’t the full random fact actually that the B-52 Stratofortress has more confirmed air-to-air kills than the F-22 and F-35 combined?

But only accepted as a usable fact by people who don’t realise the F-35 and F-22 haven’t had to be used in an air to air war yet…
 
Isn’t the full random fact actually that the B-52 Stratofortress has more confirmed air-to-air kills than the F-22 and F-35 combined?

But only accepted as a usable fact by people who don’t realise the F-35 and F-22 haven’t had to be used in an air to air war yet…
I left those parts out on purpose. There is actually a B-52 airframe out there that can be classified as an ace.
 
There is actually a B-52 airframe out there that can be classified as an ace.

I’ve seen that posted as a “fact” before but have never been able to find verification. Even the USAF only mention the two air to air kills by B-52’s (over Vietnam).
 
Imagine a guy with a machine gun and his bomber plane outgunning a 21st century fighter jet in terms of kills

Pretty crazy
 
Imagine a guy with a machine gun and his bomber plane outgunning a 21st century fighter jet in terms of kills

Pretty crazy

Imagine the fact the 21st century fighter jets haven’t had to do any a2a due to their deterrent factor (and there not having been any wars in which to do so).

The BUFF kills were in the early 70’s, work out how long ago that was…

;)
 
Imagine the fact the 21st century fighter jets haven’t had to do any a2a due to their deterrent factor (and there not having been any wars in which to do so).

The BUFF kills were in the early 70’s, work out how long ago that was…

;)
I would also wager that the MIGs had a better K/D ratio against the B-52s.
 

‘There is no kill switch’: Pentagon denies F-35 rumours as calls grow to ditch US defence products​


After several weeks of wild speculation, the Pentagon is formally denying it has the ability to remotely disable Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets.

Dubbed the “kill switch”, the concept seemingly began as an unsubstantiated rumour on social media. It gained enough traction to receive news coverage in Europe and North America.

“There is no kill switch,” the Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) said on 18 March. “The programme operates under well-established agreements that ensure all F-35 operators have the necessary capabilities to sustain and operate their aircraft effectively.”
 
https://aviationweek.com/defense/bu...mpt-some-international-f-35-buyers-reconsider

Trump Moves Prompt Some International F-35 Buyers To Reconsider​

Calls are mounting in Canada and Europe to shun the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter and other U.S. defense exports amid a backlash against controversial foreign policy changes in Washington.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is locked in an escalating trade war with the U.S., ordered a review of the F-35A procurement within hours of his swearing-in ceremony on March 14.
 
https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/trump-floats-major-new-upgrades-f-35-f-22

Trump Floats Major New Upgrades For F-35 And F-22

President Donald Trump proposed new “super upgrade” programs for the Lockheed Martin F-35 and F-22 fighters during a May 15 press conference in Doha, Qatar.

The F-35 upgrade, which Trump designated the F-55, would feature a twin-engine variant of the Pratt & Whitney F135-powered stealth fighter, said Trump, who was seated beside GE CEO Larry Culp.

The F-55 proposal includes “substantial” upgrades beyond the engine, but Trump didn't elaborate.

“And then we’re going to do the F-22. I think the most beautiful fighter in the world is the F-22. But we’re going to an F-22 Super. It will be a very modern version of the F-22 fighter jet,” Trump said.

Coming less than two months after losing to Boeing in the competition to develop the F-47, Trump’s remarks offer a hint of a possible lifeline for the fighter business at Lockheed, whose shares were trading 2.5% higher six hours later.

The F-55 and “Super” F-22 upgrade proposals add to an expanding portfolio of investments in the tactical aircraft fleet. The Pentagon still plans to order hundreds of F-35s, while continuing production of the F-15EX. Meanwhile, the Navy plans to develop the F/A-XX, a next-generation, carrier-based fighter to replace the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in the late 2030s.
Trump also mentioned the new Chinese jets, so this may be in part a response to these.
 
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