From the chans via X. Dont know if it is true..but SOMETHING happened.
(media.greatawakening.win)
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Total agreement and, even if it did, the military would never admit their $100 million dollar fighter jet could be downed by small arms fire. How freaking embarrassing would that be? Furthermore the pilot should have been able to land it if that was the case.
I’m way more inclined to believe the plane had software issues. It explains the pilot punching out and the plane continuing to fly much better than random small arms fire from a range that would challenge a trained sniper.
As c5 and others have alluded to - the F35 isn't on par with the A-10 as far as having the "bathtub" underneath protecting it. A-10s have landed with missing wing parts, rudders, tails - there is nothing like them. The F-35 wasn't designed like that, especially because it can fly MUCH faster.
We also (assuming it was shot) don't know what was hit. Maybe the shot(s) hit something that damaged all pilot control. Actually if that happened and the military can find out what part was hit it would be almost a "good thing" so they could fix it before the planes get hit in battle.
This observation about the F35 and if it is suited for close air support roles like the A-10 would do is something already in question. Relying on better sensors and longer distance away from target engagement in a CAS role is one of the ideas floated around regarding the F-35 and small arms fire.
Yup...bingo.
The Chinese aren't the only ones paranoid about saving face... despite clown world theatrics right now.