Originally Posted by
III Corps
I've read the -35s software is a leap but the airframe is doggy. Somewhere I read the wingloading is approaching that of the Century Series fighters. ???
The history of the Russians is to build equipment that will stand up in the field, not some gold-plated hangar queen. They do not expect the equipment (or men) to last and if the air has separated at 500kts from the surface, why worry about 1/2in gaps?
You certainly have that right about the Russians and the Chinese copies. One important criteria that people seem to overlook when they compare the F-35, etc... is the ability to perform the mission, again and again with an economy that may be hurt in a major war.
Just from my minglings with older Yaks and Nanchangs... the systems, while crude, are pretty remarkable in their simple nature.. the pnuematic (air) system is really interesting no need for hydraulic fluid, etc. The remote field is where those Eastern aircraft are designed to be used.
I'm probably the least knowledgeable person in this thread... but the thing that concerns me about the F-35 is so many moving parts all working perfectly together... can it keep it up when the rubber meets the road?
As far as the Russians developing this new fighter into something marketable... I wouldn't ever count them out of the game.