Ukraine war: Veteran F-35 pilot claims NATO can ‘completely destroy’ Russian forces

One of the veteran F-35 fighter pilots has made some interesting claims about this state-of-the-art aircraft, including its superiority in the air war over Ukraine as well. as how it could help European air forces “defeat” Russia should conflict break out, according to The Aviationist.

Accordingly, Billie Flynn, former test pilot of Lockheed Martin emphasized, the advanced F-35 fighter achieves a huge step forward compared to older Soviet-designed fighters. Pilot Flynn also believes that the F-35 is the only fighter that can survive in a dangerous environment over Ukraine.

Flynn initially flew the CF-18 Hornet for the Royal Canadian Air Force, and later test piloted the Eurofighter Typhoon. He then went on to work for Lockheed Martin for 17 years, from 2003 to 2020, supporting the Joint Strike Fighter program. Flynn is a huge fan of the F-35, and if anyone knows the fighter inside and out, it’s this pilot.

In an interview with The Aviationist, Flynn asserted that pilots in Eastern European countries who have flown Soviet-era fighter jets for most of their careers will find it difficult to fly a fifth-generation fighter like the F-35.

Three NATO countries – Slovakia, Bulgaria and Poland – are still using Soviet MiG-29 fighters. The MiG-29, designed in the late 1970s, is the equivalent of the American F-16 Fighting Falcon.

However, Poland is expected to soon become the only country using both MiG-29, F-16 and F-35 aircraft. Does this mean that Polish pilots can fly all three types of aircraft? Mr. Flynn believes that Polish MiG-29 pilots will probably have to retire soon.

Pilot Flynn also believes that the F-35 will absolutely prevail in the air war over Ukraine, because that is exactly the environment in which this state-of-the-art fighter was built to fight and succeed.

Flynn believes that not only the stealth technology, but the F-35’s sensor network and ability to share data with other aircraft and ground equipment, will make it an air defense killer. effective, making even Russia’s advanced S-400 air defense system and similar platforms “helpless”. Mr. Flynn asserted that although no one wants NATO to be dragged into the war in Ukraine, if that happens, with the F-35, this military alliance can completely “destroy” Russian forces.