the F-35 could use its low-observable phased array radar to detect the Su-35 from twice the distance of the latter without triggering the enemy's RWR, fire off

the F-35 could use its low-observable phased array radar to detect the Su-35 from twice the distance of the latter without triggering the enemy's RWR, fire off an AIM-120 and turn around before the Su-35 detected it Right, when people complain about the F-35, for all its shortcomings, they look at it as though it should be a "faster horse" (it's an apocryphal anecdote but makes a good point) rather than a whole new weapons platform. The USAF clearly wants something that doesn't engage in close combat, so it's about superior sensors and long range/precision air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry. I think the biggest shortfall of the F-35 though is its close air support capabilities. The USAF just want to have the target marked by ground forces and for the F-35 to drop small precision munitions on the area, but a big part of CAS is psychological - when you hear that 30mm cannon burp and the A-10's engines loitering in the background, you feel safe while your enemy is terrified. Plus a loitering A-10 is more useful than an F-35 with an ephemeral presence. Solution: give the Army the ability to provide CAS so they can purchase the A-10's from the USAF. The USAF can play with their fancy spaceships while the Army can have its flying gun.