Australia's most advanced fighter jet is the F-35A Lightning II, a fifth-generation, multi-role stealth fighter that serves as the cornerstone of the Royal Australian Air Force's air combat capability, combining advanced sensors, data fusion, and low observability for superior lethality and survivability. It works alongside the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler to provide a potent air power mix for Australia's defense needs.
he F-35 Lightning II is a highly advanced and capable fifth-generation fighter jet, considered one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world.
Neither the F-22 nor the F-35 is universally "better"; they are designed for different primary roles, with the F-22 excelling at air superiority (dogfighting, speed, climb) and the F-35 shining as a versatile, multi-role strike fighter with superior sensors, electronic warfare, and data fusion for ground attack and broader missions, though the F-35 is also capable in air-to-air combat. Think of the F-22 as a pure air-to-air hunter and the F-35 as a networked battlefield commander that can also hunt.
Australia's F-35A fleet has replaced the F/A-18A/B Hornet. The F-35A Lightning II, in concert with the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the E/A-18G Growler, is a potent air combat capability that provides the Royal Australian Air Force with critical air combat power to meet Australia's needs beyond 2030.
In a direct head-to-head matchup, the J-35 would edge out the American F-35C on speed, with a claimed top speed of up Mach 1.8, potentially allowing the J-35 to engage (or disengage) faster in supersonic fights compared to the F-35C's Mach 1.6.
Suitable would be Su57. Performance will be the F35. The Su57 will be completely customisable and will not be subject to regulations and embargoes. It's not a question of suitability of the fighter jet.
Musk said in part, “The F-35 design was broken at the requirements level… manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones…” In another post, he said, “… some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35.”
Su-57 excels in speed, manoeuvrability, and cost-effectiveness, better-suited for air superiority and defensive roles. The F-35 is superior in stealth, sensor integration, and combat-proven reliability, making it ideal for offensive operations and networked warfare.
Yes, Australia has a strong, technologically advanced, and well-trained military (the Australian Defence Force - ADF), ranking globally as a significant power, especially in the Asia-Pacific, despite its relatively small size; it excels in defense networks and is investing heavily in modernizing its air, land, and sea capabilities with key partners like the US and UK, making it a highly capable regional force.
What many critics complain about with the F-35 is that it has too small wings (in order to be stored compactly on an aircraft carrier), which gives the aircraft little lift. The critics say that small wings give the F-35 bad lift because the wing area is crucial for an aircraft to achieve a good lift.
The best fighter jet categories
-In a one-on-one dogfight, the F-22 is the almost certain winner due to its superior speed, stealth, and unmatched maneuverability. -However, in a beyond-visual-range engagement, the F-35's advanced sensor fusion and networking capabilities could level the playing field.
The F-22 Raptor is a combination of stealth, super cruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability, which represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities. It performs both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The federal Coalition says it would spend $3bn for 28 fighter jets to add a fourth squadron to the country's F-35 fleet – but it won't reveal where the money is coming from. The election pledge means Australia would end up with 100 of the F-35s if the Coalition wins the upcoming poll.
Neither the Gripen nor the F-35 is definitively "better"; they excel in different areas, with the F-35 generally superior in stealth, advanced sensors, and networking (fifth-gen tech), while the Gripen E offers lower costs, simpler maintenance, and exceptional ruggedness for dispersed operations, leading to debates over which fits a nation's needs best. In recent evaluations, like Canada's, the F-35 dominated overall military capability scores, but critics argue the Gripen's operational flexibility and cost-effectiveness are often overlooked.
Neither the F-22 nor the F-35 is universally "better"; they are designed for different primary roles, with the F-22 excelling at air superiority (dogfighting, speed, climb) and the F-35 shining as a versatile, multi-role strike fighter with superior sensors, electronic warfare, and data fusion for ground attack and broader missions, though the F-35 is also capable in air-to-air combat. Think of the F-22 as a pure air-to-air hunter and the F-35 as a networked battlefield commander that can also hunt.
Both Canada and Australia have similarly sized armed forces and spend virtually the same amount of their gross domestic product (1.9 per cent) on defence.
German soldiers generally held a mix of fear, deep respect, and admiration for Australian troops in both World Wars, recognizing them as exceptionally tough, cunning, and tenacious fighters, with figures like Erwin Rommel praising their fighting spirit and describing them as magnificent in attack and defense, though some German press also dismissed them as a small population incapable of sustaining a major war effort.
The United States is consistently ranked as having the #1 most powerful military in the world for 2025 by organizations like Global Firepower and Business Insider. This ranking stems from its massive defense budget, advanced technology, global power projection, and dominance in air, sea, and cyber warfare, though China has the largest number of active personnel.
the Red Baron-style dogfight, the Su-57 Felon should win. But 5th Gen air battles won't involve close encounters. The F-22 and F-35 pilots are very well trained and at BVR ranges the F-22 and F-35 can detect and obtain missile lock before the Si-57 can on them.
Billie Flynn spent years as a pilot in the testing program for the F-35 stealth fighter jet. He said the aircraft was very easy to fly and compared operating it to playing a video game. The fighter jet, he said, is incredibly capable and changed the understanding of what's possible in aerial warfare.
The Su's are much larger aircraft than the Mig, so they have much greater fuel capacity therefore greater range and or loiter time. Being larger also means their ordnance capacity is greater.
Elon Musk's "1-Hour Rule" (often called the 5-Hour Rule) is about dedicating at least one focused hour each weekday (five hours a week) to deliberate learning, reading, or deep thinking, without distractions, to foster continuous growth and problem-solving, a practice also attributed to leaders like Bill Gates. This isn't about working harder but thinking deeper, allowing for crucial reflection amidst constant output, with Musk's own experience highlighting how focused, distraction-free time yields better results than hours of unfocused work.
Carries just 5,700 pounds of internal weapons to minimize its radar cross-section. Once air superiority secured, can deploy external hardpoints, boosting its payload. Can carry up to 14 AMRAAMs and six 2,000-pound JDAM bombs. Only negative is Beast Mode cuts operational range in half.
Elon Musk has publicly stated he has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, which he disclosed during his 2021 appearance on Saturday Night Live. He described his traits as including taking things literally, struggling with social cues, and finding reward in intense focus, suggesting it aids his work. His comments sparked conversations about autism and how individuals, particularly high-profile ones, experience it.