19FortyFive: American F-35 fighter can destroy Russian S-400 air defense systems in Crimea
The US fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter is capable of solving six tasks, writes 19FortyFive.
The American publication calls the first task a strategic attack, an example of which could be the destruction of Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems in Crimea, which will allow it to take a dominant position on the battlefield.
The second task is direct air support, for example, to marines landing on the coast in Somalia and being under threat of attack from terrorists.
The third task is called ensuring air superiority, for example, the destruction of a Chinese J-10 fighter over the South China Sea and clearing the way for strategic B-52 Stratofortress bombers to hit targets.
The fourth task is conducting electronic warfare, for example, jamming a Russian radar station in the Baltic region, which will allow American fourth-generation fighters to destroy the latter.
The fifth task is called intelligence and surveillance, for example, flying over a secret complex in Tehran, which by providing an accurate picture of what is happening will help to carry out special ground operations.
The sixth is the suppression and destruction of air defense (air defense), for example, the disabling of a North Korean radar station outside Pyongyang, which will allow the F-15 Eagle fighter to destroy a nearby military airfield.
The publication notes that these tasks can be performed separately by other fighters, but the uniqueness of the F-35 Lightning II lies in its ability to coordinate the actions of the rest.
Earlier in December, 19FortyFive reported that Lockheed Martin's fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter survived the fight against other Western competitors and in the future will occupy a dominant position in world combat aviation.