Difference between the F-35 and the F-22

[Petter H]

Over here in Norway, there is a current debate about Norways planned purchase of the American F-35. Opponents claim that the project is vastly more expensive than the european Eurofighter or the Swedish JAS Gripen. It is also claimed that the Eurofighter is a better air dominance fighter.

Now my question isn't really if the Typhoon is better then the F-35, my question is really about the difference between the F-22 and the F-35.

Given that the USAF use both aircrafts, and that the aircrafts are built by the same company (ergo no "save company" politics) we have to assume that each aircraft got unique characteristics that make them good for different things.

But what are those things?

It's also interesting to note that the US government won't allow the Raptor to be sold to foreigners, not even close allies. Ergo the aircraft has to be superior in some way to the F-35, given that the F-35 IS sold to foreigners.

 

[AVON]

The F-22A is an air dominance fighter. There is an interview with Craig Penrise, test pilot for the Typhoon program, although I have not been able to find the interview on You Tube. He stated in an attack with a coalition, the F-22 would go across the forward edge of the battle area (FEBA) and due to its unique capability would patrol above enemy defenses. As the Typhoon escorting the attack package lead by the F-35 approach the FEBA, the enemy headquarters will start to scramble its interceptors. Some F-22s will drop a precise weapon on the headquarters and shortly after lift-off, the F-22s will bounce the enemy interceptors!! Low on air speed, energy and, altitude... they will be an easy kill for missiles like the AMRAAM. The few interceptors that survive would form a fairly disorganized force (little or no assistance from GCI) of which the Typhoons and F-35s will handle well.

The F-35 is a ground attack fighter-bomber (primarily) and fighter-interceptor secondary. The F-35 was designed to dominate the attack of primary targets on day one of WW-3 and survive! It is designed to accomplish it mission while the integrated air defense (IAD) is fully functional.

The EF-2000 Typhoon is a true fighter-bomber with air combat as its primary roll. Now, how a F-35 would attack a high priority target versus how the Typhoon would do it, I can't say for sure. I do know the F-35 needs far less ECM support.

With the projected budget cuts some European air forces could wind up with more F-35s than Typhoons!!!! The RAF already plans to retire some of its first Typhoons in 2015!

I do know the US Navy now plans to use the F/A-18E/Fs as interceptors and the F-35C as its attack fighter-bomber. The Italian AF plans to use the F-35As as attack aircraft and the Typhoons as fighter-interceptors. To me that indicates the air forces believe the Typhoon will be a better interceptor.

While the F-35 has a high initial cost, it will set new records for low cost of maintenance. Many avionics sub-systems are designed to last the life-time (20 years) of the aircraft without maintenance or replacement! so the cost of the F-35 over its life-span, the cost will be less than some of its competitors! That plus those that participate will gain the technology from production assistance in the program.