American and Dutch fifth-generation fighters F-35 Lightning II are not using for the first time
What is known
On November 15, joint US exercises began,Netherlands and Italy Falcon Strike 2022. The venue is the Italian air base "Amendola" (Amendola). The exercises will last until November 28. They are focused on improving collaboration between current and past generations of fighters, as well as between different countries that operate F-35 Lightning II aircraft.
Fighters in the exercises are divided into teams BlueAir and Red Air. This is done to ensure that pilots collide with other fifth-generation aircraft, since such aircraft are already in service with potential adversaries. First of all, we are talking about China with its Chengdu J-20, but you should not forget about the Russian Su-57, despite all its problems.
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Falcon Strike 2022 was the first exercise inunder which the F-35 Lightning II fighters do not use Radar Cross Section (RCS) radar reflectors. This allows you to reduce the radar signature and use the capabilities of the stealth mode.
American fighters are equipped with lensesLuneberg. They are radar reflectors that make the F-35 Lightning II visible to radar. The lenses are also used by another fifth-generation aircraft, the F-22 Raptor. Typically, aircraft are equipped with such devices in peacetime, including during exercises.