Critics call the F-35 "Lightning II" "Clay Pigeons" mostly on its maneuverability against Generation Four fighter jets such as the widely admired F/A-18. Such thinking overlooks the fact that close in air combat has been relegated to library shelves for years. A less appreciated view holds that air-to-air combat takes place beyond visual range and thus it's sensors vs sensors and missiles vs aircraft defenses now and in the future. F-35s feature sensor and inter connectivity with other platforms the make it effective against other air assets ceding that its primary mission will be air-to-surface attack using precision weapons. Early models have plenty of growth capability to ameliorate any early deficiencies.