<p>Chris Pocock has been covering the defense beat for AIN for over 30&nbsp;years. He is a British citizen and a graduate of the University of Cambridge. Chris worked in the air cargo business for ten years before becoming a full-time writer in 1983. He subsequently edited two air cargo journals before becoming AIN’s Defense Editor. He retired from that position in 2018, but still contributes to the publication. Chris has written extensively on aerial reconnaissance, including four books on the history of the U-2 spyplane. He also lectures on this and other topics related to intelligence-gathering in the Cold War.</p>


Defense Correspondent

Chris Pocock

<p>The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has exceeded Mach 1 for the first time–a timely achievement after a recent Rand study suggested that the design lacked maneuverability for air-to-air combat. Lockheed Martin said that the Lightning II accelerated to Mach 1.05 with a full internal load of inert weapons–5,400 pounds–on November 13. The design top speed is Mach 1.6. The Rand study on Air Combat discussed the potential performance of U.S. airpower in a conflict with China over Taiwan. In passing, the study noted that the thrust loading of the F-35 “is significantly inferior to that of the F-15, F-16 and F-22, (resulting in) slower acceleration, slower climb and more energy bleed in tight turns.” The Rand authors also claimed that if the F-35A were ever obliged to engage modern Russian/Chinese fighters within visual range, it “can’t turn, can’t climb (and) can’t run.” Last September, F-35 program officials defended the aircraft against previous negative reports from a war-gaming exercise. “The F-35 enjoys a significant combat loss exchange ratio advantage over the current and future air-to-air threats, to include Sukhois,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles R. Davis, the F-35 program executive officer.</p>


F-35 Goes Supersonic as Critics Cite Lack of Agility 

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has exceeded Mach 1 for the first time–a timely achievement after a recent Rand study suggested that the design lacked maneuv

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