I'm happy with this new capability:
The emergence of a carrier-launched stealth fighter is intended to give the Navy more combat attack flexibility and an improved ability to fight sophisticated enemy air defenses from a sea-based carrier. Such an ability can allow a maneuvering carrier to hold targets at risk from closer proximity if land-bases are far from the combat vicinity. Perhaps of greatest significance, the F-35C brings stealth attack technology to the carrier flight deck for the first time, a circumstance which further enables sea-based attack operations to attack advanced enemy air defenses and function in extremely high-threat environments.
Sure, the F-35C gives the Navy the ability to penetrate air defenses to attack ships and ground targets.
That is great. And needed.
It seems like the F-35C is being celebrated for a capability more useful for power projection against a target with good air defenses but poor anti-ship capabilities. Which is great, as I said.
Now, with our new emphasis on great power competition, the need is for fighting an enemy with good air defenses and good anti-ship capabilities.
Our stealthy planes have to take off from and land on large non-stealthy carriers accompanied by their non-stealthy escorts that must sail well within range of enemy surveillance and strike assets to carry out their own strike missions.
How is that going to work out?
UPDATE: Funny enough, we had the reverse with the stealthy Zumwalt that would be virtually pinpointed once it started firing its guns at ground targets causing non-stealthy explosions. Luckily that idiocy was ended.
