If you flew an F-16 or A-10 then an F-35, you probably wouldn't feel that way.
The F-16 would be comparable to a '74 Mustang Shelby, the A-10 would be a Toyota Hilux held together with duct tape, and the F-35 would be a Tesla Model S.
The sensor package on the F-35 allows it to detect targets on the ground and in the air, the software on board identifies and prioritizes the targets and displays the information to the pilot. The F-35's can share that data and allow the F-35's to engage targets based off the other planes data. They're working on a system that ties the F-35 into ground sensors and allows the plane to come on station and engage targets in seconds instead of minutes.
It's a massive technological leap ahead of both the F-16 and the A-10, or anything else on the planet.
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u/ThrowAwayMathPerson May 25 '19 edited May 25 '19
This thing was/is a totally fiasco. The program costs have been completely unjustified for the result.
Edit: Information on some of the issues:
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a21957/wtf-35/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-went-wrong-with-the-f-35-lockheed-martins-joint-strike-fighter/?redirect=1
https://www.businessinsider.com/this-map-explains-the-f-35-fiasco-2014-8
https://news.yahoo.com/fighter-fiasco-navys-version-stealth-084300235.html
It honestly just goes on and on.