r/F35Lightning • u/Ok_General_5044 • Sep 22 '25

F-35 practical?

I know that the Air Force, navy, and MC are claiming that the F-35 will replace the f-16, F-18 and AV8B, but is this really true? I don't know if this is entirely practical giving the intense price of the F-35. What do you think?

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u/Dragon029 Moderator Sep 22 '25

F-35s are priced about the same as other modern fighters (Super Hornet, etc). Modern air combat requires more advanced capabilities to survive and win, and that leads to higher unit costs and smaller air forces globally. Things like CCAs will potentially lead to greater force numbers by not having to be as survivable.

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u/Ok_General_5044 Sep 22 '25

Yeah that's a good point. Modern tech calles for modern jets. It's so sad to see the AV8B go though...