The General Dynamics F-16 “Viper” is the most successful fighter jet in military history. Hands down. Designed to be a cost-effective combat “workhorse” that could perform various missions and maintain around-the-clock readiness, the F-16 was much smaller and lighter than its predecessors. As of 2015, the F-16 grew to be second most common currently operational military aircraft in the world, behind only the Sikorsky S-70/UH-60-family, also known as the Blackhawk and Seahawk helicopters.
The F-35 JSF Lightning II, in the other hand, is a fifth-generation combat aircraft designed as a stealth fighter with all the most advanced features ever created for a military fighter jet. With a mission to perform ground attack and air defense missions, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the fighter jet of the future.
Created to replace four of the most popular and successful currently in-use tactical and attack military aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II is scheduled to become the main fighter jet of three the main U.S. Armed Forces components: the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marines. Once the F-35 Lightning II on its 3 variants becomes fully deployed, legends such as the U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthog, the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet, the U.S. Marines AV-8B Harrier, and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, will become a thing of the past. It stands to reason to then, what would happen in a dogfight between the most popular fighter jet in the world and the aircraft created to replace it?
Find out here:
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Do you think the F-35 will prove to be as popular as the F-16 given time? Sound off and share your opinions and comments in the section below.
