The F-35A Lightning II is lined up as the world's first stealth fighter jet, played as the "Aggressor". To be precise, the United States Air Force formally re-established the 65th Aggressor Squadron (AGRS) on June 9, 2022 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. This unit will fly exclusively the F-35A Lightning II.
Quoted from TheDrive.com, it is said that the placement of the F-35A in the aggressor squadron cannot be separated from the potential for conflict with China, which has a fifth-generation fighter jet (stealth) which is very advanced at this time.
For the first stage, the 65th Aggressor Squadron was only reinforced by two first-generation F-35A units. As seen at the squadron's inauguration ceremony, the F-35A Aggressor already uses a special aggressor paint scheme that utilizes a radar-absorbent coating.
"Due to the increasing threat posed by China's development of fifth and sixth generation fighter jets, we will have to use some of our existing fifth generation aircraft today at Langley, Elmendorf, Hill, Eielson and now Nellis, to emulate the capabilities of our opponent's fifth generation," he said.
Commander of General Mark Kelly's Air Combat Command. “It is precisely because we have a real threat that we imitate the enemy in fifth-generation fighter jets, it must be done professionally. And that's the aggressors," Kelly added.
The air combat training syllabus for US pilots draws on lessons focused mostly on Russia and China. However, specifically for the 65th Aggressor Squadron the focus will be on China, all of whom will talk about their doctrine, training, aircraft capabilities and other related aspects.
By using the F-35A as an aggressor, it is possible for US Air Force fighter pilots to train against observable threats in a manner similar to those developed by adversaries.
From 2005, the 65th Aggressor Squadron flew the F-15C/D fighter jets until they were decommissioned in 2014 as a result of budget cuts.
Of course, it is not cheap to have an aggressor aircraft unit, only countries with heavy military budgets usually have this facility. In addition to the US Air Force and Navy with its Top Gun, aggressor fighter jet units are also operated by the UK.
Generally, fighter pilot training programs experience a technological gap, where pilots in combat training are often faced with aggressor aircraft that have all-around capabilities.
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