Lightning vs Raptor

[George K]

On Reddit:

Would you pick an F22 or F35? why?

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Comments:

F22 for the funsies. F35 for landing in my neighbours backyard.

F22 - because I need more multi engine time before I apply at the legacy airlines.

Interviewer: So tell me about your experience?
Pilot: I’m a Harrier and F-35 rated, as well as a Top Gun graduate and former T-45 and RAG Instructor. I have 5,000 hours in airplanes, almost 1/3 in combat overseas.
Interviewer: How much multi you got?
Pilot: None
Interviewer: Get out of my office

Reminds me of the old joke about an F-14 pilot who keeps performing maneuvers around a B-52, "Anything you can do, I can do BETTER."
The B-52 pilot gets exasperated and shuts down 2 engines. "All right, top THAT."

C-130 version: "I just took a piss and got a sandwich."

F22 - because there’s less of them. It’ll look better on my resume when I apply at Wendy’s

Having experience with both aircraft I would actually say the F35 (reluctantly)
The F22 was designed in the 70s-80s in a completely different threat environment than we have today.
The F35 is not as agile certainly but with Outer Air Battle and Beyond Visual Range being normal engagement scenarios agility has become so much less important.
The F35 was designed more or less in the 90s-2000s and gets the benefit of that leap in technology.
Given how much has changed in threats, near peer adversaries and over all air battle tactics.
I think F35 is the clear winner until the Gen 6 interceptor comes around. THAT will change everything.