Russia and Ukraine still have surface-to-air missile batteries and aircraft, but neither has been able to dominate the air.
The war in Ukraine is unique in that it provides useful lessons about how modern aircraft would operate in a conflict.
In an interview with The Aviationist on April 7th, a former Canadian lieutenant colonel and senior F-35 test pilot for Lockheed Martin highlighted the role that the F-35 could play in similar conditions.
Flynn said that the F-35 was designed for an environment in Ukraine.
The F-35 is one of two fifth-generation fighter jets used by the US, alongside the F-22 Raptor, and one of four in use around the world. The J-20 has not seen combat. Russia's Su-57 hasn't entered mass production and has only deployed in a few limited missions.
The F-35 is intended for air superiority and strike missions.
It has a powerful electronic-warfare and intelligence suite. The quarterback of the skies is the nickname given to those capabilities that allow the F-35 to gather and distribute real-time battlefield information to friendly forces.
It carries a variety of weaponry. It has four 500-pound laser-guided bombs on its wings, two of them in its internal weapons bay, and an AIM-9 air-to-air heat-seeking missile. stealth is sacrificed for firepower.
In stealth mode, the jet doesn't use weapons that are mounted on its body.
There are three versions of the F-35. The F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C are designed for takeoffs and landings.
Flynn told The Aviationist that the survivability of older fourth- generation fighter aircraft, like the F-16, will be limited.
Flynn said that F-16s are not survivable in the highly-contested world, like in Ukraine, where there are many surface-to-air threats.
Flynn said that the F-35's ability to enhance the capabilities of friendly aircraft is what would make it valuable in a conflict.
The F-35 was designed to operate in highlycontested airspace, with capabilities focused on what we have seen in Ukraine today. The former F-35 test pilot said that if you have F-35s, you don't need F-16s to do the damage that the F-35 would bring.
The F-35 would be particularly effective against surface-to-air missile systems and other ground defenses to achieve air dominance.
The stealth profile of the aircraft will be one of its main advantages.
Flynn said that they see them, but they don't see us. When one team is invisible and the other team is not, it is like playing football. The F-35 would be able to see all the air-to-air threats and kill them all.
Even though the F-16 can provide additional firepower against enemy ground forces once air dominance is achieved, the F-35 will be needed to protect them.
Close-air-support missions for troops on the ground are possible with the F-35. When friendly ground troops are in close contact with the enemy, the F-35 may have to use its less advanced weaponry.
Flynn said that there could be a time when the troops are in contact and you will use the gun in the F-35.
The US has said that it will not fight in Ukraine.
F-35s have been flying missions in stealth mode near the borders of Ukraine, though it is not clear if they were conducting regular patrols to deter Russia or using their electronic capabilities to monitor forces in and around the country.
Flynn said that their presence close to the conflict zone had an impact.
Having that jet flying along NATO's eastern flank is a significant deterrent against Russian forces. Flynn said that the F-35 represent an extraordinary lethal threat.
Flynn said that the F-35s can't be compared to any other airplane that flies in the air force.
Constantine Atlamazoglou works on security. He obtained a masters degree in security studies and European affairs from the school.
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