What the F-35 flight management software and situational awareness demonstrate is that the usual measures of a superior fighter aircraft (speed, maneuverability) no longer matter as much. An F-35 is more likely to see the other aircraft first, fire first and be more aware of the changing battle situation than enemy pilots in, on paper, faster and more maneuverable aircraft. ...
The U.S. found that stealth was useful but was not as important as aircraft ease of use and situational awareness. The F-22 had stealth and ease of use but it was still believed that enhanced situational awareness was the most important of the three and that was what was added to the F-35. That assessment turned out to be correct.
Do read it all.
Early on I worried if it would be possible to "fight with the tray table down."
But as the plane has gotten into the hands of pilots, the F-35 has won me over.
As long as it can't be hacked, of course.
There's always a worry somewhere to bother my sleep.
