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Test Pilots: F-35's Blind Spot Will Get It 'Gunned Every Time'
The pilots, who formerly flew A-10s and F-16s, didn't seem interested in excuses. Their comments, quoted in the report, are scathingly direct."Difficult to see [other aircraft in the visual traffic] pattern due to canopy bow," one said. "Staying visual with wingman during tactical formation maneuvering a little tougher than [older] legacy [jets] due to reduced rearward visibility from cockpit," another added. Said a third, "A pilot will find it nearly impossible to check [their six o'clock position] under G [force]." "The head rest is too large and will impede aft visibility and survivability during surface and air engagements," one pilot reported. Most damningly: "Aft visibility will get the pilot gunned every time" during a dogfight. Posted by: Uncle Phester 2013-03-08 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=363716 |