[Still Thinking]

The advanced systems and sensors aboard the F-35 mean its pilots will fly and fight in a new way, and the jet should not be measured using the same standards as older fighters, according to Andrew Linstead, who spent 27 years in the RAF flying in Tornados.

OK, so if that's true, why didn't the pilot fly the plane the "new way" and then presumably beat the F-16? Sounds like protesting too much to me?

[USNBandit]

Because it was a test flight in AF-2, a non-mission configured aircraft. The reality of this whole kerfuffle is that the F-35 apparently doesn't have the maneuvering capabilities of the F-16, an aircraft with its own limitations when it comes to AOA. The F-18 has a high AOA capability, but relatively poor thrust to weight and top end speed. The Tornado is fast, but turns like a dog on a slick floor.

Take the Hornet and the F-16, which both have Helmet Mounted Cueing systems and the AIM 9X. Put them in the phone booth with the F-22 (No HMCS) and the Raptor pilot is going to have to fly very well to survive.

High off boresight weapons and the ability to cue them is radically changing the dog fight arena. As high off boresight envelopes expand, the window for dog fighting is shrinking.

There is nothing in the air currently that can match the F-22 in maneuverability, but the success of the F-22 in training engagements has been based upon this "fighting in a new way.".