The F-35's Damning Dogfighting Report

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brian West watches an Air Force F-35 Lightning II joist strike fighter aircraft approach for the first time July 14, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)

David Axe, War Is Boring: Read for Yourself — The F-35's Damning Dogfighting Report

Test pilot reveals stealth fighter’s vulnerability

The pricey new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter — the main new warplane for the U.S. military and many of America’s closest allies — can’t turn fast enough to defeat other jet fighters in close aerial combat.

In other words, the F-35 is dead meat in a real war against a determined foe.

But don’t take it from us. Below, we’re posting an F-35 test pilot’s own account from mock air battles in January.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: So much for the initial applause that the F-35 is a great fighter jet .... F-15E Strike Eagles unable to shoot down the F-35s in 8 dogfights during simulated deployment (The Aviationist).

Update: I guess this is the new spin .... The F-35 Stealth Fighter: Too Good For War Games? (David Axe, National Interest).