Wrong. F-35's are classified as multi-role fighters by the USAF... just like the F-16 you espouse below. F-35's are most certainly not simply bomb trucks.
Russia’s SU-30SM & SU-35 would wipe the floor with them in a huge turkey shoot.
Highly unlikely. The F-35 wipes the floor with US fourth generation fighters in Red Flag exercises to the tune of 15:1 and 20:1 ratios.
With only frontal ‘stealth’, 4 missiles internal, and 216 cannon rounds, F-35s could defend to a degree,
If stealth is of no concern, then why not add the fact that the F-35 can hold six more missiles externally for a total of ten?
but not go hunting with any success.
F-35's have the most advanced sensor suites of any aircraft built (including the F-22) and have unprecedented situational awareness of the battlefield... they are without a doubt the best "hunters" in our fleet.
Besides, its replacing the German’s Tornado bomb truck, in any case. If they need more air superiority fighters besides their Typhoons, then the latest F-16 variant would be a contender. The big factor is who has the most flying time.
Again, the F-35 proves to be far superior to the F-16 in Red Flag exercises. The only reason to choose the F-16 over the F-35 is the cost to purchase and the cost to maintain.
You do know that the outcomes of those exercises are pre-determined? That they are tests of various tactic, strategies weapons and systems, and not about which fighter is better than the other?
Classification, smasification. The F-35 was designed to be the follow-on bomb truck after the F-22 achieved air supremacy and take out the remaining AAAD - look it up.
I did not mention ladening the plane with all the possible external load outs because that would destroy any semblance of stealth.
The F-35s are out-ranged by the long range missiles (Vympel R-37s) MiG-31BMs pack - in fact, there was a story on FR about how planners have no intention of using F-35s in a peer to peer conflict as they would be lost quickly.