F-35: Pro and Con Views

What then does this mean for Canada? First, stealth is required now. Further, once the majority of allied air forces convert to stealth aircraft they will have zero interest in a nation still operating older aircraft with 1000 times their radar cross section flying anywhere near them. Surprise would be totally lost. In fact, the only role of a CF 18 in a few years will be as a diversion or decoy. Second, all fighter bombers, including stealthy ones, need the support of the limited number of electronic warfare aircraft available. One can safely predict that a future air campaign commander will dedicate his scare electronic warfare assets to the most capable aircraft flying against the most defended targets deep in enemy territory. Finally, older designs like the F/A-18 can be made more stealthy but this has seems to have peaked with the F/A-18 E/F. While 15 times stealthier than the CF-18, the F/A-18 E/F’s radar cross section is ten to fifty times larger than that of an F-35 with stealth part of its original design.

... keep reading the pro.

His detection range information is based on current and well understood enemy radar systems. There are many defence experts who will counter this argument by saying that different radar wave forms or completely different search techniques, e.g. infra-red search and track (IRST), will marginalize current stealth technologies.

First strike capability is quickly being assumed by cruise missiles and UCAVs.

Alternatives to higher levels of stealth? Mastery of the electronic spectrum using sophisticated jammers will undoubtedly deny enemies a first shoot opportunity, i.e. they may be able to see us but there is nothing they can do about it. As the commodore alludes to, electronic support aircraft are an alternative to stealth.

... keep reading the cons.