Re:The Most Expensive Weapon Ever Built
by ufmace on Saturday March 25, 2017 @04:47PM
(#13957498)
Makes for an interesting question. It would certainly be unusual to use a brand-new untested weapon sent on a combat mission so soon. On the other hand, the IAF has been known for sometimes doing bold, risky, and unusual things, and hitting the Syrians with brand-new F-35s would have a lot of value in reminding the Assad regime not to mess with them.
On the other hand, how many people can tell the difference between a F-35 and a F-16 streaking by at 500mph, dropping a bunch of bombs with no warning whatsoever? It also wouldn't be too surprising to see some unfortunate Syrian soldiers tell their superiors that they were hit by F-35s when they actually have no idea what hit them. Makes them look less bad that they failed to stop an attack by a super-high-tech jet, and probably good for surviving it. It would even fit for the Israelis to subtly encourage any such rumors, if they could.
On the other hand, how many people can tell the difference between a F-35 and a F-16 streaking by at 500mph, dropping a bunch of bombs with no warning whatsoever? It also wouldn't be too surprising to see some unfortunate Syrian soldiers tell their superiors that they were hit by F-35s when they actually have no idea what hit them. Makes them look less bad that they failed to stop an attack by a super-high-tech jet, and probably good for surviving it. It would even fit for the Israelis to subtly encourage any such rumors, if they could.