The F-35 Scored A 15:1 Kill Ratio At The Red Flag War Games

Lockheed Martin

Popular Mechanics: F-35 Scores Impressive 15:1 Kill Ratio at Red Flag War Games

Pilots credit the Lighting II with making older legacy fighters more lethal.

Exercise Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada is considered one of the most realistic and challenging aviation warfare exercises, and pilots from this year's event say the Air Force's F-35A exceeded expectations by dominating the air space and improving the lethality of other legacy aircraft. It's stellar performance is a major victory for a war plane that's been criticized for its high costs and plagued with several development setbacks.

Running from January 23 to February 10, this year's Red Flag involves more threats to pilots than ever before, including surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), radar jamming equipment, and an increased number of red air, or mock enemy aircraft. Against the ramped-up threats, the F-35A only lost one aircraft for every 15 aggressors killed, according to Aviation Week.

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WNU Editor: The Russian media is paying attention .... F-35 War Games: Beleaguered Fighter Jet Commands Skies with 15:1 Kill Ratio (Sputnik).

Update: Is President Trump changing his tune on the F-35? .... How Trump Learned to Stop Tweeting and Love the F-35 (Bloomberg).