While hyper maneuverability has become a cornerstone of modern fighter jet design, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, an advanced, expensive, fifth-generation multi-role fighter, is conspicuously limited with respect to maneuverability. While it might seem counterintuitive to design a modern fighter that is not highly maneuverable, designers were fully aware of the shortcomings as they made deliberate trade-offs to enhance the F-35’s stealth, situational awareness, and multirole versatility instead of raw aerodynamic performance.

One of the primary factors preventing the F-35 from being maneuverable is its low thrust-to-weight ratio. Designed around a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, the F-35 is capable of 43,000 pounds of thrust. The F-35’s empty weight is over 29,000 pounds, and it can weigh over 50,000 pounds........

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