Cover for what? You don’t launch an attack with a single destroyer.

1. Nobody is going to be carrying external stores for a mission that requires a stealth component, but I think, from your posts, that you already know that. His point was simply that the F-35 can still do “regular plane stuff” once the enemy’s AA/AD capability has been degraded.

Ain’t nobody gonna use the F-35B from a dirt runway until it’s absolutely necessary...

Dear Lord...

Dude. USMC IOC tho! ;-)

Scorpion is a really cool aircraft, but unnecessary. You’re basically dropping precision munitions for CAS just like you are with a fast mover, but you’ve already got F-16s and F-15s that can do that. It’s designed to be able to fly slowly, but when dropping PGM from altitude, you don’t need that ability.

I’m sorry for your loss

Cool gun pr0n

Yes, but at some point, you’re going to have to replace your car, because the chassis will just wear out, and it won’t make sense to keep driving a ‘94 Civic when you can do the job with something newer. To be fair, the metaphor does break down a bit.

I’m fully aware that they’ve been thoroughly upgraded, and that the A-10 of today is much more capable than the A-10 of 1985. And some of the features that we would consider obsolete on a new aircraft today were actually intentional design decisions, like the control systems.

Yeah, I mean, the nuclear deal means I certainly don’t really see a reason to use force against Iran in the near term, but yes, it’s not just North Korea. The F-35 is relevant to our tension with Russia and China but also with Iran, Syria (less likely now, but still with a capable air defense system), and North Korea.…

Seriously. Imagine how much ALIS is going to change future aircraft? (Potentially)

SDB is pretty much the perfect weapon for real fast movers doing CAS

Oh no doubt. I know exactly what you’re talking about.

Eh, I wouldn’t mind the F-35 in a situation like North Korea, either. It doesn’t have to be peer state or near peer.

No. They’re actually antiquated.

Well, certainly in the literal way.

yawn

Oh, man, I have some bad news for you about the early days of the F-16...

Again, this is why we need a high-low mix.