More
    HomeMilitaryF-35 Lightning II: Defending Air Supremacy Amid Criticism and Comparisons

    F-35 Lightning II: Defending Air Supremacy Amid Criticism and Comparisons

    Published on

    spot_img
    F-35 Lightning II” by blueforce4116 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

    The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, recently came under the microscope after a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighted increasing sustainment costs and diminished operational plans due to reliability issues.

    Lockheed Martin F-35B
    Lockheed Martin F-35B

    U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III ardently defended the aircraft, stating, “I would not categorize the F-35 as a paperweight,” during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, countering assertions that the F-35 has become too costly and unreliable for the U.S. military and its allies.

    F35 of US Air Force
    F35 of US Air Force

    The GAO report disclosed that sustainment costs for the F-35 had escalated from $1.1 trillion in 2018 to $1.58 trillion in 2023, with the Department of Defense planning to fly the F-35 less than initially estimated, partly due to reliability issues.

    F35 of US Air Force
    F35 of US Air Force

    Despite these challenges, Secretary Austin and the Department of Defense remain committed to the F-35 program, which is evident from the over $61 billion allocated in the fiscal year 2025 budget to “assure U.S. air dominance,” including ongoing upgrades and sustainment.

    Silhouettes of three F-35 aircraft on sunset sky background
    Silhouettes of three F-35 aircraft on sunset sky background

    Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) is one such crucial upgrade delayed but expected to significantly enhance the F-35’s capabilities by improving its digital infrastructure, weapon systems, and pilot interface.

    F-35 Lightning II in Leuwardeen
    F-35 Lightning II in Leuwardeen

    The TR-3 software will also allow the jet to carry new weapons, sensors, and cyber countermeasures, vital for maintaining the cutting edge in combat aircraft technology.

    US Air Force F-35A Lightning II pictured at the 2018 Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
    US Air Force F-35A Lightning II pictured at the 2018 Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

    Amid the scrutiny, comparisons between the F-35 and the F-22 Raptor, another advanced fighter by Lockheed Martin, have resurfaced.

    F-35 Lightning II in Leuwardeen
    F-35 Lightning II in Leuwardeen

    The F-22 excels in air-to-air combat with superior speed and climb rate, positioning it as an unrivaled dogfighter.

    F35 of US Air Force
    F35 of US Air Force

    However, the F-35 boasts an armament versatility that the F-22 lacks, including nuclear deterrence and air-to-ground strike capabilities.

    Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA - July 30th, 2022: USA Military Aircraft Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
    Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA – July 30th, 2022: USA Military Aircraft Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

    With modern combat scenarios increasingly involving advanced communications and technology, the F-35 stands out for its data connectivity and coordinative capabilities, making it the preferred aircraft for a variety of missions.

    Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA - July 30th, 2022: USA Military Aircraft Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
    Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA – July 30th, 2022: USA Military Aircraft Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

    Despite criticisms and operational challenges, the F-35 program has the U.S. Defense Secretary’s support. “We continue to work to make sure that we get our aircraft operational,” Austin told lawmakers.

    Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II
    Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II

    The steadfast commitment to the F-35 signifies its integral role in the current and future landscape of U.S. airpower, where air dominance remains a strategic priority.

    Joint Base Andrews Air Show 2015
    Joint Base Andrews Air Show 2015

    The DOD has not been accepting new F-35s until TR-3 is ready, though Lockheed Martin and F-35 Joint Program Office head Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt have said the Pentagon may begin taking delivery of jets with a “truncated” version of TR-3 later this year.

    LEEUWARDEN, THE NETHERLANDS - JUNE 11, 2016: F-35 Lightning II f
    LEEUWARDEN, THE NETHERLANDS – JUNE 11, 2016: F-35 Lightning II f

    “This includes continued funding for the modernization and sustainment of the F-35 and F-22 fleets while developing the next-generation fighters and autonomous collaborative combat aircraft critical to maintaining superiority in the skies,” Austin wrote.

    US Air Force F-35A Lightning II pictured at the 2018 Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
    US Air Force F-35A Lightning II pictured at the 2018 Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

    “I agree in the future we should take [and] we should have a different approach,” Austin said. “We continue to work to make sure that we get our aircraft operational.”

    Relevant articles:
    U.S. Military Declares F-35 No ‘Paperweight’ and One of the ‘Best Aircraft’, The National Interest
    F-35 Vs F-22: Comparing & Contrasting The Iconic Lockheed Martin Fighter Jets, simpleflying.com
    Austin Pushes Back on Lawmaker’s F-35 Criticism: Not a ‘Paperweight’, Air & Space Forces Magazine
    Air & Space Forces Magazine, Air & Space Forces Magazine

    Latest articles

    F-15 Eagle’s Dominance: The Untold Story of Its First Combat Triumph

    In the annals of military aviation history, few aircraft have earned a reputation quite...

    Uncovering WWII Bombs: Germany’s Continuing Battle with Hidden Threats

    Every year, German land produces a chilling crop: roughly 2,000 tons of unexploded World...

    Clacton Spear Discovery Reshapes Early Hominid Hunting and Cognition Understanding

    The recent focus on the Clacton Spear, an old wooden object discovered in Clacton-on-Sea,...

    FN Five-seveN MRD: A New Era in Precision Handguns

    The FN Five-seveN has stood out in the modern firearms landscape for years, known...

    More like this

    F-15 Eagle’s Dominance: The Untold Story of Its First Combat Triumph

    In the annals of military aviation history, few aircraft have earned a reputation quite...

    Uncovering WWII Bombs: Germany’s Continuing Battle with Hidden Threats

    Every year, German land produces a chilling crop: roughly 2,000 tons of unexploded World...

    Clacton Spear Discovery Reshapes Early Hominid Hunting and Cognition Understanding

    The recent focus on the Clacton Spear, an old wooden object discovered in Clacton-on-Sea,...