
A RNoAF test pilot accociated with the F-35-program (and whom I've had the pleassure to speak to a number of times) recently blogged about the facets of modern air combat and made a few comparisons of the performances of the two jets. Thought I'd share the main points on that particular issue and translate a few quotes. It's probably an idea to keep in mind that this is a comparison based on the RNoAF F-16MLU and the F-35 Full Mission Simulator. The 2011 Libya campaign forms the backdrop. And don't forget to read the whole article. 
Main points:
- Depending on the mission, the F-35 enjoys a 30-70 percent higher combat radius
- In Libya, operating from Crete, F-16 typically had to refuel several times - the F-35 would have done the whole mission without refueling
- In a similar full combat configuration F-35 cruises comfortably 10-15000 feet higher in MIL power than the F-16
- F-35 has a 50-80 kts higher cruising speed in this scenario
- F-16 needs full AB in order to turn at high altitude whereas F-35 can operate in MIL
- F-16 has to use AB to gain speed to extend missile range where as the F-35 cruises higher and faster and thus doesn't need to [though I'm sure it could be useful]
Modern air combat; The Right Stuff, Top Gun or something else entirely?
https://translate.google.com/translate? ... t-annet%2F
https://translate.google.com/translate? ... edit-text=
/Bolsøy

Main points:
- Depending on the mission, the F-35 enjoys a 30-70 percent higher combat radius
- In Libya, operating from Crete, F-16 typically had to refuel several times - the F-35 would have done the whole mission without refueling
- In a similar full combat configuration F-35 cruises comfortably 10-15000 feet higher in MIL power than the F-16
- F-35 has a 50-80 kts higher cruising speed in this scenario
- F-16 needs full AB in order to turn at high altitude whereas F-35 can operate in MIL
- F-16 has to use AB to gain speed to extend missile range where as the F-35 cruises higher and faster and thus doesn't need to [though I'm sure it could be useful]
Modern air combat; The Right Stuff, Top Gun or something else entirely?
https://translate.google.com/translate? ... t-annet%2F
https://translate.google.com/translate? ... edit-text=
To fly an F-16 with 2.5 tons of weapons [and fuel] under the wings as the Norwegian F-16s did during the Libya operations, Hanche compares to using an underpowered car to pull a caravan up a steep slope.
You're actually completely dependent on full afterburner to be able to turn at high altitude. Before we even reached our destination, it was necessary to refuel in the air twice on the trip between Crete and Tripoli, he said.
[...]
F-35 would have taken the entire weapons load inside the hull without much noticable reduction in performances and would have flown the entire mission without air refueling. "
/Bolsøy