Comment Re:Drone It (Score 4, Informative) 843
In theory, it can do the job of the A-10, F-16, F/A-18, and Harrier Jump Jet (to name a few)
That's crazy.
So, tank-buster/ground attack, fighter jet, carrier launched fighter jet, and close air support.
There is simply no way in hell to replace the A-10, in terms of armament of hardening. Because the A-10 is ridiculous in terms of those things (and I mean that in the most awesome sense of the word, because it's legendary for survivability and that huge canon).
It can't replace the F-16, because it's not nearly as good at the same role, and can't beat it in the air.
If the F/A-18 is also a fighter I'd be curious to see if the F-35 can even touch that.
And a VTOL close air support aircraft, which is armed to the teeth and can do many tasks
I'd be curious if there is a single aircraft this F-35 is supposed to replace, which it can actually best in that category.
If it is inferior in the specific features of the stuff it's replacing, it's pretty much a terrible aircraft.