You mean the slow-poke, single-engine F-35 that isn't even stealthy from behind? That F-35?
If our top leadership are on China's and Russia's payroll, why should I expect much from the F-35?
Because Israel's F-35s are the most likely platform that are taking out Iran's nuclear sites right now, in real time?
You’re stuck in 1980s, F-14 Maverick and Goose thinking. The rapidly-approaching future is low-observable aircraft that act as powerful sensor platforms while quarterbacking attacks by swarms of stealth drones, and launching their own attacks from a distance with fast stealthy stand-off weapons. Among its many other capabilities, the F-35 will soon have a hypersonic missile that can fit within its internal weapons bay. Also, don’t forget that the F-35 is not intended to be an air superiority fighter. That role is currently handled by the F-22 and F-15, with the F-22’s 6th generation replacement on its way very soon.
Large numbers of F-35s, even if not yet accompanied by their “wingman” drones that are still in development, could easily overwhelm nearly any existing air defense system in the world with LRASM stealth cruise missiles and soon, hypersonic missiles (that weapon is said to be ready to deploy NOW). There have also been sightings of F-35s in flight testing new stealthy external tanks and infrared search and track pods. There is a lot of development happening on the F-35 front. There were reports that not long after receiving some of the first deliveries of F-35s, Israel flew two of them directly over Tehran without being detected. And Israel has made a lot of their own unique improvements to the F-35 since then. Israel doesn’t mess around, and they are heavily invested in the F-35. They certainly realize its value.
With what is apparently occurring tonight in Iran, just watch and learn.