The West Surprised by the Victory of an Old Aircraft Over the F-35 0 21

The carrier-based fighter-bomber F/A-18E Super Hornet, developed in the 1990s, was able to 'shoot down' the fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II during exercises. The victory of the less advanced fighter surprised the publication of the Western outlet Military Watch Magazine (MWM).

The author noted footage demonstrating the simulation of the British F-35B being engaged by the Super Hornet of the U.S. Navy. The fifth-generation aircraft was conducting flights from the deck of the aircraft carrier Prince of Wales in the Pacific Ocean. The ship was deployed to test the British fleet's ability to 'project power.'

'This encounter drew particular attention due to the technological differences between the two aircraft: the F-35 is currently the most advanced type of fighter in the Western world, while the F/A-18E represents a much older fourth-generation design,' the article states.

As the publication writes, this episode highlighted the shortcomings of the F-35 in close combat within visual range.