F-35 Aggressors: Why now is the time for them | Best of Aviation by Pilotphotog

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Let's take a look at how F-35s are being used as Aggressor aircraft and the 65th Aggressor Squadron has been reactivated! The aggressor airplanes are flown by some of the best aviators in the world.
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"The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."
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[@PilotPhotog]

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[@satz5964]

Hey mate, does conflict of nations simulate such essential components of warfare as corruption, morale and propaganda or lack thereof?

[@MikeOxlong-]

Speaking of paint schemes and stealth coatings. I’m incredibly curious what the actual true intent or goal is behind the almost mirror like coatings more recently seen on all stealth platforms including decommissioned planes like the f-117... I could think of several reasons, but I’d like to actually hear more opinions of those closer to it...

[@PilotPhotog]

@@MikeOxlong- in case you missed it: F-22 Super Raptor - Is It Already Flying? kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZzZmp13ntaAp7M

[@MikeOxlong-]

@@PilotPhotog thx! I’ll check it out!

[@dan725]

I’m just happy our dude here is getting sponsors more consistently :). Just means more cool content!

[@F22raptor46]

One thing you should know is, the F-35's RAM coatings are not applied onto the skin like they are on the F-22 or previous planes. It is baked into the skin which is why it's easier to maintain, cheaper and far more effective than all previous RAM coatings. It is essentially an entirely different type of skin. This new skin is what allows colored patterns to be there on the F-35 and for it not to actually lost it's stealth characteristics. Meanwhile the F-22, F-117 and B-2 could never have this done to them. Also due to the way the F-35's RAM coating is applied, they basically come out of the factory with the RAM coating on forever, so you cant actually have an F-35 fly without it's RAM coating. In order to do that they'd have to build parts and panels from scratch to not have RAM coating on it

[@matchesburn]

"It is baked into the skin which is why it's easier to maintain, cheaper and far more effective than all previous RAM coatings." "Also due to the way the F-35's RAM coating is applied, they basically come out of the factory with the RAM coating on forever" Oh... Oh sweet innocent summer child... I have bad news for you... /watch?v=vZlkVa9uSXw Please stop listening to Papa Lockheed when he's drunk. "This new skin is what allows colored patterns to be there on the F-35 and for it not to actually lost it's stealth characteristics. Meanwhile the F-22, F-117 and B-2 could never have this done to them." Factually incorrect. Notice the color gradient differences in the camouflage (yes, actual camouflage) of the F-22's paint scheme. It's a *_gradient._* It is not just the same shade of gray on the entire aircraft. It's meant to be that way, and it's meant to be optical camouflage. Where you're getting this idea is from back in the times of like the F-117, which used an carbonyl iron based ball coating which was black because it was best against insulating from EM radiation. It's not needed, however, for RAM - like that on the F-22 - to be a certain color. If what you were saying *_was_* true (and it isn't), then the F-22A would also be pitch black. ...Um... I'd like for you look at an F-22A and please confirm that... no... it's not black... and it's not even the same uniform shade of gray all the way around the aircraft.

[@master_shifu4208]

@@matchesburn boi get of ur conspiract sites and russia propaganda channels, u clearly have 0 clue what u are talking about

[@robot336]

INTERESTING 👍👍

[@josephsmith3908]

Ya I believe it's a ceramic bake on the f35

[@robot336]

PS .. YOU LIKE SAYING - RAM COATING 🤤👌

[@Ace-rp7vr]

I like how people say the F-35 can only fly about as good as an F-16 like it’s a bad thing, the F-16 is still pretty maneuverable and good and competitive

[@outis7080]

Not to mention they are comparing the flight characteristics of a F-35 to a F-16 that's flying clean. A F-16 with a combat load can't fly as well.

[@Ace-rp7vr]

@@outis7080 your so right!

[@jaxastro3072]

@@outis7080 this is an important point. Its not only the mass of the combat load on the 16 but the drag as well. F35 without external hardpoints only worries about the mass

[@Error-33]

@@outis7080 a 16 has better flying capabilities with a higher mach speed and is better at 2 circle than f-35 (2 circle rate fight is the type of dogfight both aircraft prefer but f-35 should go 1 circle bc f-16 is even worse at it even though it doesn't prefer that fight) this doesn't mean f-16 is better than f-35 though bc f-35 has an extreme amount of technology that will help it a ton in fights and its performance is still pretty much ok and no one can expect to win against a f-16 in a rate fight anyways bc of the fact that the f-16 is extremely light basically making it a extremely light and fast aircraft with a really powerful engine it shows that it was made for dogfighting and high speed bvr combat that doesn't involve stealth tech

[@Error-33]

@@frankcrawford416 indeed which is the reason f-35 is such a big upgrade except dogfighting and non stealth "old" bvr the f-35 is better at everything and dogfights don't happen much these days so basically a 100% upgrade to the f-16

[@JCMills55]

I was an F5-E crew chief for the 527th Aggressor Squadron at RAF Alconbury. I always knew that in spite of what the talking heads were saying they would need Aggressor Squadrons again. I hope the F-35's are as successful as our F-5E's were at the task.

[@SoggySoxSaga]

The aggressor squadrons never went away. They are just adding F-35s to the fleet. F-16s have been aggressors for years.

[@bigbigmurphy]

We have Hawker Hunter here as aggressor, those things are old, lol.

[@boostjunkie2320]

I salute you sir

[@corvanphoenix]

The Yanks never gave it up. RAF decided it was cheaper to outsource. It was good while it lasted. I bet you've got plenty of great stories.

[@rgloria40]

F5 can fly like the enemies aircraft...Mach 2 or better...The liars are manipulating the facts saying only 1.6 at 35,000 ft when the service ceiling is 51,530 flt... F35 has a long way to go...to match the F5...then

[@bullpupgaming708]

Dont' forget Red Flag Alaska. It's Red Flag Nellis but on steriods because it spans two bases, Eielson AFB and Elmendorf AFB and covers a vastly larger air and ground space than even the NTTR.

[@PilotPhotog]

Indeed! I do briefly mention RFA at the end of the video, thanks for pointing that out and for the comment!

[@bullpupgaming708]

@@PilotPhotog No problem and thanks for response. And that was a very informative video. I didn't even know they reactivated the 65th, but I was at Nellis when they deactivated them back when they were Flanker AMU. It's good to know that unit is back.

[@wolfsdarkshadow]

18th Aggressor Squadron out of Eielson AFB

[@aaroncasey3591]

Holy shit those 16s in a russian paint scheme looks really damn good. The su57 pant scheme one looked amazing with f16 angles.

[@billynomates920]

that canopy closing around 4:00. the reflection makes it look like the pilots are raised up into the cockpit. looks cool af.

[@scottnj2503]

This video is a powerful demonstration of the effective use of open-source information synthesized into a salient and, I believe relevant commentary.👍

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you, Scott!

[@marcuspinnock1383]

The U.S. Navy actually do operate aggressor F-16s, the F-16N is a stripped down version with better flight performance than the F-16C

[@madkabal]

its like a stripped out hot rod huh? :)

[@perelfberg7415]

@@Albertkallal power to weight ratio is important but not all. Good arodynamics really do a good difference there. The Rafals and more have Super cruse and will sustain their speed very well. So not all is power and does not mean lagging behind.

[@BasedF-15Pilot]

The USAF operates F/A-18 Growlers too. One of my old squadrons the 390th got swapped to the Growler and moved to some Navy base. :)

[@Spectator1959]

The F-16Ns were retired in 1998 because they were developing structural cracks. About 2002 or so the Navy got F-16 A/Bs that Pakistan had ordered but were embargoed by the US. More recently the Navy is getting F-16Cs that the Air Force is retiring to make room for new F-35As.

[@c.simmons2147]

It should also be mentioned that the AFRL is working to develop a high performance unmanned aggressor aircraft. Even if this initial contract doesn't go anywhere, it shows that the military would be interested in something like that and it could be developed later with some of the other UCAV programs.

[@dylanwhite3383]

i feel like we need more unmanned aircraft simply to test out manned aircraft during combat exercises

[@tcam52]

The navy is making/has a F/A18E/F aggressor squadron, I’ve seen them lined up sitting in a hanger. All Russian and Chinese camos and paints, they all look very cool

[@byloyuripka9624]

great opsec einstein

[@Anarchy_420]

Please create a video about The F-117 being used as Red Force Aircraft! Plus The Metallic Coatings on The F-117!🙏

[@Anarchy_420]

Plus you can talk about the fact that it's been officially retired yet still flys!👍

[@deqnq1705]

real talk aggressor camo looks awesome

[@robertemery8660]

Yes

[@susanartigas7498]

Another great video. Thank you!!!!

[@firstlast9731]

Great video bro. Super informative

[@adamwee382]

3:07 I wouldnt say the F5 is extremely manuverable. It's used in order to simulate older soviet era fighters like the Mig21 which is still in use by several countries, including China which uses a Chinese produced copy. The F 16 an go toe to toe with any 4th or 4.5 gen aircraft and dominates anything under 15,000 feet in a two circle dogfight with a possible exception being the f-22. The Eurofighter will crush it at higher altitudes but lower to the ground the advtage shifts. It's an absolute monster, but the F5 not so much. My guess is they use tactics with the F5 similar to what the North Vietnamese airforce used which was to come in low, fire on vulnerable aircraft and run away before the blue force has a chance to bring their more modern/powerful aircraft onto them.

[@Boomkokogamez]

It was maneuverable and good enough to the point that soviet realised they were behind US tech and hence mig-29/su-27 was born from it, well partially.

[@matchesburn]

Pretty correct. One of the benefits of the F-5 is that its flight profile can really change based on its speed. At higher speeds (like nearing trans-sonic) it flies more like a MiG-21 in performance (close enough to simulate it in training, anyways). That's one of the reasons why the A-4 Skyhawk was also used was because it could perform like MiG-17/19s at lower speeds (and as it got closer to its maximum speed became drastically less maneuverable and capable).

[@mikewaterfield3599]

One might argue now is the time for the 35 and the 22 to be aggressors. Make the war game more challenging than it is likely to be.

[@kerbalairforce8802]

Train harder than you're likely to fight, and the fight becomes easy

[@josephsmith3908]

The newer wide spread adoption of the f35 is really fleshing out the system

[@kenhelmers2603]

Interesting! Thanks :)

[@ronaldmarcks1842]

Outstanding, thank you.

[@bjornodin]

This was really informative! A seldom examined subject, aside from highly specialized media aimed at insiders AF, R&D etc. I appreciate the amount of work done to break such a complex subject down "Barney style" 😊

[@Viperboeing757]

Yet another excellent video . 👍👍

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you Duncan!

[@paststeve1]

Great video! Your channel came up suggested in my feed and I'm glad it did! VERY well done video. Well researched, great narration, excellent production and interesting topic. Thanks. Liked and SUBBED. Bell on!

[@gregs7562]

Agressor training was one reason the UK govt initially decided to keep a batch of Tranch 1 Typhoons in RAF service. Giving the RAF & other nato airfirces an advanced agile jet to train against. Budget troubles seem to have scuppered that though.

[@phoenixgaming430]

"it is hard even for the F-22 to keep an eye on the raptor" Raptor: It's... Not... Possible...

[@MH5XXXX]

When I was stationed at Nellis AFB, NV WE had 2 aggressor units, MIG AND BARON. I was a A.G.E.mechanic driver. They were some nice folks. They flew F-5s when I was there now the F-16s are taking over for them in the RED FLAG TRAINING GROUP. USAF VERSION OF TOP GUN.

[@jamesburdis2487]

it's good they kept the f16s for reds airforce as that more accurately simulates Russia as they have little to no 5th gen fighters in their airforce but the decision to cut 3rd gen aircraft such as the f5 and a4 is questionable to me because it simulates to pilots what aircraft from poorer nations would be like if a war was to break out between the us and 3rd world country

[@caleblarsen5490]

The only issue with this is that the 3rd gen fighters in red air are OLD. They are a liability.

[@FloridaManMatty]

@@caleblarsen5490 I have a bit of a theory about why the F-117 is still flying (apart from the fact that it IS a useful test bed for new materials and avionics). Back when the F-117 was still operating in the deep, deep black, the USAF covered the program claiming that the pilots were flying A-7’s. We all know that development and testing of some very interesting new designs is taking place. NGAD is heating up and I’m sure there are other planes in development being tested. It’s purely speculation on my part and definitely one of the most out there things that have crossed my mind over the years, but how great of a cover would operational F-117’s be for newer black programs? For the average person, the Nighthawk still looks like something from the future. It would probably be fairly easy to write off a sighting of some new “black triangle” flying overhead as just an F-117 taking part in whatever they are reportedly doing in the open? Far fetched, I know, but not TOTALLY outside the realm of possibility.

[@solomonofakkad1927]

@@FloridaManMatty One obvious reason, because more countries are developing or currently producing their own stealth fighters, the US must also develop air defenses to keep up with that as well. That's where the F-117 is still a useful representation of hostile aircraft to test radar against. It's said that E-2D's radar can potentially counter stealth fighters, and because there are quite a lot of stealth fighters in USAF's inventory, they might have already tested it against the F-117 or even newer aircraft to make that claim.

[@matchesburn]

@@FloridaManMatty Nah. The F-117s are being used for training purposes against low-observable aircraft. They're a good baseline to use for testing because they are so heavily structural low-observable and because they're all-aspect stealth and not just so highly optimized for specific bands like with how the F-35 is absurdly focused on X-band optimization.

[@FloridaManMatty]

@@solomonofakkad1927 You are 100% correct, of course. My tin foil hat just needs to be dusted off from time to time and that idea just popped into my head one day a while back when they stopped trying to keep the F-117’s activities under wraps. As for the E-2’s capabilities, that doesn’t surprise me one bit. Northrop Grumman is a big presence where I live (St. Augustine, Florida), and I have been seeing the Hawkeye’s come in for upgrades and overhauls for many, many years. I know some of the guys who work on them and have been privy to some shop talk every now and then. The E-2 is an exceptional airplane. As old as the F-117 is and considering that the LO tech on them is almost as old as I am, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if many nations had developed the ability to counter some or all of what made it such a game changer when it was still flying combat sorties. My late Uncle was an engineer at Lockheed ADP (Skunkworks) for many years and was a part of the Have Blue team, so I have a soft spot for the -117. It’s just nice to know that after all these years that we are still able to use those airplanes and put them to good use, whether it’s as a R&D platform or in my imagination as a cover story for something else.

[@cjclark2002]

Reactivation of aggressor F35 squadrons sounds way more complicated then just a change in some units tactics and doctrine somewhat, with little to zero component changes. When I read the title I thought to myself, they’re sophisticated 5th gen fighter jets, by nature of principle they are naturally aggressive lol.

[@davids1inwestholl45]

Another excellent video! I don't often come across good video packages of blue on red fighter teams, especially w/ 5G aircraft. BTW, gr8 job as usual w/ production. You sure you don't have a small team? Maybe some tech savvy elves (during their off-season)? ...kidding!

[@basedmugigaming]

9:19 ngl, the F-16 with that paint scheme looks awesome

[@PhantomZAKU]

That’s fire.

[@justinmurphy2227]

As always, what a tremendous video my friend! Somehow, I missed this while moving and passing a kidney stone last month. To be honest, I didn't know what to expect as I didn't understand what what meant by "aggressors". Once again, you broke it down in 11 minutes and explained it so well I feel like and expert now! I would have never guessed they were training our guys with private contractors planes and pilots and ground crews! The F-35 is really starting to grow on me and I think it has to do mainly with nostalgia. We've grew up with this amazing legendary 3rd and 4th gen aircraft and just like with muscle cars, people have a hard time converting to Teslas or hybrids. But when you hear....they had to de-tune the F-35 to more realistically portray a potential enemy's offering, it makes you respect the Fa(s)t Amy a little bit more....lol. Also, real quick for an everyday person, how much stronger or effective is the F-35's radar vs that of the F-16. Not including data link. just one v one with nothing else assisting. I just want to have my facts somewhat right before "discussing" plane v plane with my brother later today! LMAO! Once and again, and I know it's a know fact, but man, we appreciate Mr. PilotPhotog! You're keeping us informed with info we didn't even know we needed to know.....ya know? Hehe! Thank you!

[@vincentphan5097]

The F-35’s AN/APG-81 AESA has 1,676 T/R modules and has the ability to simultaneously jam F-22’s and F-15’s radar in China Lake test. F-16V’s AN/APG-83 AESA has 1,000+ (more than most european jets like Rafale)T/R modules and remains relatively unchanged except better terrain mapping, resistance to jamming, more resolution, and increased target track. Honestly there’s more I could say about the F-35’s radar but all you need to know is that comparing it to F-16 is like comparing a great white shark’s bite to a snail’s, that’s how far the difference is. Feel feel to ask more questions.

[@justinmurphy2227]

@@vincentphan5097 dayummm! Yep...that last statement says it all... shark to snail uh....no comparing! And to think I think of the F-16 as a current bad ass....and if it is....then what is the F-35 and what's all the bitch'n for? LOL!

[@nathaniellazo5912]

What if the Airforce retains some off the f-22's they are going to retire for red flag? Wasn't like 30ish airframes going to be retired? But I guess less spare parts for the rest of the Raptor fleet... so a unlikely maybe. Would be interesting and cool to see some F-22's in those aggressors paint schemes.

[@solomonofakkad1927]

F-22, as good as it is, can't replicate some features the J-20 have, like infrared search-and-track and omnidirectional electro-optics. The F-35, however, have all those features by default. The introduction of F-35 into aggressor squadron is so that pilots can train against other 5th gen. If you want to train in a dogfight, the F-5 is still available, and would be for quite a long time - it's not mutually exclusive, otherwise F-16 aggressor would already replaced F-5 long ago.

[@pogo1140]

The average F-22 pilot flies less than 150 hrs per year, or about 1 sortie every 3 days, the average aggressor pilot flies 2 sorties a day when there is an exercise at red flag for about 11 days, 4 times a year or roughly 144 sorties and 216 hours. Assume that the planes will fly the same hours and are often shared between 2 pilots. Your F-22 will burn through it's available lifespan at 3x faster than normal and your maintenance will also triple

[@nathaniellazo5912]

@@solomonofakkad1927 yah, it lacks the components to replicate a J-20 and the J-35, J-31, or whatever they have also been working on. I feel like it would have been an addition to simulate a near unbeatable dogfighter for the alliance to overcome with 4th, 4.5, and 5th gen aircraft, F-22's having to fight against literal equal opponents. Pogo also pointed out operations costs, which I honestly forgot about so yah... Definitely more of a what if, rather than realistically speaking.

[@nathaniellazo5912]

@@pogo1140 to be 100% honest, complete forgot about the operations costs... why I was thinking of a 4-8 airframes chosen for the job... definitely more of a what if over possible reality.

[@pogo1140]

@@nathaniellazo5912 As near as I can tell, they are looking at having as much of the training moved to virtual combat space. Part real planes but lots of if not most of it in a virtual arena. The bandits will exist only on the range computer and be simulated on simulators and in the monitors of the student's aircraft.

[@gruntusmc8922]

Sometime ago one of these contractors bought some Mig-29 Fulcrums from a NATO Country that was shifting to use the F-16. These Fulcrums would provide an excellent trainning tool for our pilots and our Allies.

[@BlyGuy]

The aggressor squadrons are really interesting. The pilots are required to learn literally everything about the adversaries platform and weapons systems, to the point where an aggressor pilot can describe in detail all of the components of various opposition armaments. They also do significant research into tactics. One pilot that was interviewed relayed how he coordinated with the CIA to go to demonstrations in Russia where they'd be unveiling new weapons tech to take notes.

[@iamzuesthisisthetruth8864]

So let’s finally bring the F22 to the fight!!!! I was Power Pro at LAFB when raptors went Active!! I love that plane!!!! Watched it regularly leave with 4-26+ odds, with F15! Even with those numbers the F22 was Never threatened! So I think the boys at Langley would Welcome the Fight! I’m sure they are all exhausted of beating n poor F15!

[@specrtre]

That's so,awesome I remember thinking about that. How alot of nay sayers of USAF skills and training. Never seem to factor in we've had 5th gen fighter for longer than other countries. So we have move likely been training against them to practice. It smart that we threw them into aggressor so soon.

[@germanwarrabbit]

i like how the REDFOR aircraft have a hammer and sickle on their helmets

[@Shoeg4zer]

Aren't F117s also being used in the aggressor role? Its also LO, but lacks the sensor package the F35 has.

[@patmahomesisthegoat1622]

I hope the newer aggressor schemes for the f-35 will feature a type of of camo similar of that on the su-75

[@charleshopkins3817]

Doesn’t the USMC still operate some F18C aggressors? I think the squadron name was “Flying Omars”

[@lamarkingram5320]

Awesome update! Thanks for the great work you put into your videos! Sid note: I just realized I was unsubscribed, and I've been a subscriber for at least a year now. KZbin is up to it's nefarious tricks again. So remind your viewers to make sure they are still subscribed from time to time. Looking forward to the next video!

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you and good point on reminding about the subscribe button. Welcome back!

[@keatoncrandall2471]

I would like to see how the Gripen E does at Redflag.

[@hilairelaplume1616]

I am just happy to see f-35 pilots and to hear Canadian pilots in European pilots crazy after 35 to me along with all the nations buying it competition as a good sign for the f-35 capabilities

[@dextermorgan1]

I've read they're planning on taking some of the first built Raptors(non combat coded units)to use them as aggressor aircraft also. Idk how true that it.

[@deanpatterson9036]

Mentally...the first fighter jocks to lead a combat sortie, against the enemy. Knows the enemy tactics, as well as they do.

[@LogieT2K]

Its definitely a great idea Its a little sad for me tho as a kiwi, one of the agressor contractors Draken Internation fly the RNZAF’s old A-K kahu skyhawks

[@Mav09]

And people say the F-35 is a waste of money!😂 🇺🇸

[@markbrisec3972]

Those are the coolest F-35s I've ever seen. The camo/splinter paint scheme makes the F-35 look menacing. I wish USAF started to paint their fighter jets in more interesting ways than those boring gray paint schemes. That is, if the stealth coating can be produced in multiple colors.. For example SU-57 has a wicked paint job. But than again, the Russian jet is nowhere near as stealthy as the F-35 or the Raptor so I'd rather keep the higher level of stealth with a gray paint than digital camo pattern while ending up shot down by the enemy.

[@geofftimm2291]

Are the aggressors fully functional F-35s, or those spavined birds that cannot be brought up to full function? Geoff Who is curious.

[@PilotPhotog]

It looks like they are early production F-35s and not combat coded. Thanks for commenting!

[@mujaku]

Conflict avoidance is the best policy. Once you engage the enemy with your F 35s it's only a matter of time before he understands your technology and then initiates counter moves. You lose the element of surprise.

[@carlvincent12]

Splinter patterns. AKA Erusia colors on AC7

[@PilotPhotog]

As an AC fan, I appreciate this comment

[@erictaylor9989]

The navy also operates some F18s as aggressors.

[@Artty-fl8ul]

I want one!

[@angelosasso1653]

Isn't there also practice done, where the allied forces test their fighters against each other? Like Typhoon vs F22 or sth?

[@patmahomesisthegoat1622]

hey tog, Im at JBER currently, and I’m wondering why there are so many planes here that aren’t stationed here.. like 5 kc-10s from mcguire, a c-5 from Travis, a firefighting c-130j from Little Rock, and an E-7 wedgetail.. and red flag alaska doesn’t start till mid august… have any ideas for what’s going on? hm: forgot, last night there was an atlas air B747-400F land. I think maybe something with China and taiwan

[@PilotPhotog]

Sounds like some kind of build up, thanks for commenting and let me know if more aircraft show up

[@patmahomesisthegoat1622]

@@PilotPhotog hey ok so, 2-3 kc-10s left, c-130 left, 747 left, but a KC-46 arrived a few hours ago.

[@germen343]

The navy also operates F16 agressors

[@Kaseyaught6]

Will the 65th partake in Maple Flag as the 64th has for decades? Particularly as Canada has finally come to it's CF-35 senses.

[@PilotPhotog]

I would imagine so, thanks for commenting!

[@ppipowerclass]

I am surprised the Air Force doesn't use their operational F-117's as a low observable target.

[@alantoon5708]

They do.

[@tonysu8860]

Aside from the fact that the F-117 was never designed to be an air superiority fighter but as a ground attack bomber?

[@perelfberg7415]

POGO mentioned in his comment that they would fly 2 times aday or so for about 11 days. What is the availability on the F35 in this type of senareo? Like how many would be needed in total? As I have understood there have been instances during redflag where there have been issues to start missions due to some reassons.

[@calcrappie8507]

We need Gant to come back from the Firefox success and deliver us a nice J-20. "Remember, you must think in Chinese".

[@palanthis]

The primary things that our pilots need to be training against are the MiG 29/35 and the Sukhoi SU-35S and SU-57. The MiG is a basic b*tch, so anything will do. The Raptor would do a much better job of emulating the Sukhois. Unless you want to retrofit the F-35 with TV. At the end of the day, though, it's unlikely that high-maneuverability will be much of a factor.

[@madkabal]

Highly unlikely still means that it COULD happen. Warriors train for the 1% chance senario

[@johncadarian7626]

Yes these fighters are very good. But Russia has very little of these aircraft. They can't afford multiple squadrons of these plans, which make them almost useless compared to multiple multiple strike teams against a smaller fighter unit.

[@tomte47]

Russia is stuck in 1990, the real threat is facing hundreds of Chinese fighters with modern avionics and AESA radars lobbing PL-15s at you. J16,J10-C,J11BG/BGH and J20 supported by KJ-500 is the competition not a handful of SU-57 prototypes doing airshow videos.

[@Info-Ark]

Surely any stealth coating only absorbes a percentage of radar energy. Add an extra generator to the ground radar and the stealth plane will be more visible ?...

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

I'm disapointed that they are underpowering the F-35s as personally I would reather have over trained troops then undertrained ones... Also I guess they are saying the steath and sensor suites are OP not flight proformance. As you by looking at the Pak-Fa and J-20 one could see they are at least on par with the F-15/F/A-18 in manuverblity and speed which the F-35 is not. If they meant over all then I fear they are not listening to their intel teams again.

[@germanwarrabbit]

i would only ever willingly fly an F-35 if i was in an aggressor squadron

[@joeshmoe9978]

👍 🎥

[@alfredchurchill2328]

Wait they are using the block 40/42 f-16s for aggressors? Why not the block 50/52? They have the bigger engine and better performance

[@Aeronaut1975]

I thought the US Navy also uses the F-16 as an agressor Squadron? (Yes, the Navy does have a few F-16s)

[@krzysztofkaluza4501]

To this plane y-23, if you add the f-16 that fights great with the cannon at close range (dog fight) and the super patrol plane (good for long distances because it has only rockets) f-35 and nothing will pass unless aliens come

[@josezuniga4968]

So they’re gonna let the mavericks teach the new ones? 👀

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

We need more F-35s to replace older F-16s and A-10s in the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard.

[@RW-zn8vy]

They’re coming, relax.

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

@@RW-zn8vy Nice.

[@cristiangonzalez761]

F16s and FA18C are using for the NAVY and marines for red air ops too.

[@wr6392]

The F35 would look BA in Vietnam Era green camo.

[@4rsh193]

Chad channel

[@Bushy_P]

Not sure how the USAF will spool up enough in house aggressors with the pilot challenges in numbers they are facing.

[@MarkGardner66Bonnie]

I think this is a smart move by the military as stated it will make everyone better... though ATAC owned by Textron will be disappointed to hear this.

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

I think they should concentrate on training against the sorts of planes they will be fighting. There are skills that would be ignored otherwise, skills particular to fighting those particular aircraft.

[@wbwam7710]

Wouldn't f22 be a more accurate fight? Hasn't russia actually cited the f22 as the basis for some of the design behind the su57?

[@XerrolAvengerII]

the Iranian f14 desert camo scheme is the most beautifully painted plane + scheme combo in the world, US really missed out! Although aggressor f35 have an entertaining scheme as well.

[@magicfox9822]

Oh so the navy dismantled their agressor f16Ns?

[@petergerdes1094]

Why can't they simulate the reduced radar visibility in software on the blue force radars?

[@vistaredgt]

I've always wondered if Russia, or China had equivalent aggressor units in US colors.

[@evetteiisk4423]

the agressor F5s, look alot like the mig 28

[@jonniez62]

The 65th was inactivated, not deactivated

[@leeofallon]

Yes, the FX-35 is a mean machine, but keep a good mix of 3rd and 4th generation fighters for cost reduction and real-world possibilities: never put all your eggs in one basket!

[@chickenman404]

Hey, I was born there... neet. 2:04

[@firmanardi4008]

Who are the aggressor?

[@kevf500]

Also f 35 are going to get a new engine with more power and better fuel mileage

[@rgloria40]

The only problem is most of the enemies' stealth and low observable aircraft can fly Mach 2 or better... F35 has speed restriction and cannot fly through a lightning storm....

[@rick7424]

No it isn't a problem in BVR or much of a restriction in dogfighting.

[@aybarsmeric]

KF-21Boramae is more fitted with this role. It's also half an American plane.

[@matchesburn]

Not going to lie, the KF-21 looks slick. Very cool. The only problem I have with it is that's just not enough room and internal space for payload. If you look at the official press release concept art pieces for it and see it fitted with a ton of pylons and external stores - it's for a reason. That's going to be the only way it's going to carry a useful combat load. Which... kinda defeats the purpose of designing and making a low observable aircraft in the first place.

[@Shoeg4zer]

Not if the U.S. wants to train vs. a 5th Gen aircraft. The initial version of the KF21 is a Gen4.5 fighter, not so different from a Super Hornet.

[@Shoeg4zer]

@@matchesburn Later iterations of the KF21 will be a Gen5 fighter with the space for an internal weapons bay already designed into the aircraft.

[@mill2712]

@@Shoeg4zer Another issue is availability. It will take a bit of time before the KF-21 will be ready for production. That being if the US would actually buy it.

[@georgearrivals]

@@mill2712 The USAF won’t buy the KF-21. Korea needs to drop the block 1 and go all in with the version with the internal bay. Ideally they team up with Turkey and use it as a basis for the TFX program.

[@Michael500ca]

The single engine is still it's weakness. Dual engines would have make it much better, especially for countries that need it like Canada, Australia on other with large patrol areas.

[@tonysu8860]

I'd disagree. Only supposed advantage of 2 engines is redundancy should one fail. Jet engines have been getting more enormous as time goes on because they're more efficient and powerful than smaller engines... You see it everywhere in commercial aircraft and not just military aircraft.

[@mikekenney8362]

I’ve been preaching F35 since the invasion of Ukraine. One fully operational and supported squadron of lightnings would suppress all Russian air operations stat. Although it could well trip redlines for Russian escalation as a tactical reality the F35 and its coordinated strike capability could enforce a no fly zone in Ukraine, essentially ending Russian dominance

[@dadthelad]

Realistically, what Ukraine has shown us, is remove the threat of nukes, and Russia wouldn't stand a chance against the US military might. The US could wipe out Russia's entire military in days. I have my doubts about Russia's nuke capability either, and suspect the US could take out every single one of their nukes, either before or after they've fired (or in many cases, one wonders, failed to fire).

[@2020umakemyday]

U.S no fly zone woukd be a prelude to ww3.

[@swynty5767]

They should update the f22, shit maybe they already have

[@RW-zn8vy]

Too expensive and the raptor is only air to air capable so there’s no point

[@DOI_ARTS]

They even put soviet helmets on f16 pilots

[@rick7424]

???

[@sarcasmo57]

No Mig 28s

[@pixelnazgul]

Just like I was saying, the 35 can outdo the 22

[@zacharydavis4398]

8:24 - 8:35 💯 stronger together, for many reasons through many dimensions but as the alliances fleet expands so will the rate of increases of the effectiveness, variety-of-functional-uses, integrated lethality/deterrence systems, cost benefit, etc … it wouldn’t be appropriate to say that the sky is the limit, but the more appropriate limits are the neighboring galaxies as the alliances take synergistic approaches that no individual nations could advance like NATO/QUAD/etc can collectively/synergistically advance at a rate that is unattainable to the collective adversaries with their newly named “no limits” relationship lol as long as we don’t underestimate them and while continuing to step on the peddle there is no catching collective systematic approaches and therefore maximizing our collective defenses and world stability… a cost benefit that will prove to be priceless if we stay collectively synergistic without splintering off into unnecessarily risky special interests that don’t optimally advance collective growth/capabilities/etc in collective defense, world stability, etc … Our systems are the most powerful in the world and when we combine them to collectively invest in future sustained growth systematically… our defense and deterrences are maximized

[@haroonlegends567]

Can it match Su35?

[@Cleon851]

It can dominate any Russian aircraft

[@haroonlegends567]

Didn't know that.

[@marcofranco6974]

They are perfect to stop Chinese madness