20230715 (300)_F-019_and_F-027_F-35A_Lightning_II_with_J-017_and_J-514_F-16A_Fighting_Falcon
Out with the old and in with the new: two Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35As lined up with two of the F-16As they are replacing, in the static at RIAT 2023 held at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. It is an interesting change as the F-16A is a manoeuvrable aircraft with a big load-out of missiles (and an internal gun) that the F-35A can only match by abandoning its key attribute of electromagnetic stealth and mounting external pylons on the wings. Its internal payload as a fighter is very small. The world's largest military airshow, with participants from around the globe, RIAT is a must each year for UK aviation enthusiasts at least.
20230715 (300)_F-019_and_F-027_F-35A_Lightning_II_with_J-017_and_J-514_F-16A_Fighting_Falcon
Out with the old and in with the new: two Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35As lined up with two of the F-16As they are replacing, in the static at RIAT 2023 held at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. It is an interesting change as the F-16A is a manoeuvrable aircraft with a big load-out of missiles (and an internal gun) that the F-35A can only match by abandoning its key attribute of electromagnetic stealth and mounting external pylons on the wings. Its internal payload as a fighter is very small. The world's largest military airshow, with participants from around the globe, RIAT is a must each year for UK aviation enthusiasts at least.