Raptor and JSF2 are 2 piloted crafts.. where stealth and avionics is one pilot.. while other pilot works on monitoring and at time launching missile.. They dont have many missile..
Where as MKI can carry at most 14 missiles.. with 10 BVR's and 8 launched and target at the same time.. so an WSO make sense.. who will concentrate on targets while other one tries to evade and pilot incoming threats...
The first paragraph is a lame attempt at trying to avoid conceding a point..
Sensor Fusion(and other avionics).. and a pilot . two different things.. sensor fusion is to help the pilot make the decision faster.. increase his SA.
They assist the pilot in flying the jet.. the dont substitute for a pilot.. unless there is a smart AI developed that will fly the plane, launch, do maneuvers.. and know the difference between an unarmed civilian with a shovel and an insurgent with a RPG.. A pilot will be a pilot.
A Human.. flesh and blood.
The raptor needs only one of it for it to be operated successfully...so does the JSF.
The MKi needs two to reach its operating capability.
The Raptor carries its weapons internally.. which allows it to get right next to a MKI without either of the two pilots even realizing that its there...
and it will see the HUGE MKI way before they even become a threat.
If a raptor carries its external loadout of 8 AMRAAMS.. these coupled with the six in its bay give it 14 AMRAAMS.. plus the 2 Aim-9's.. thats 16 missiles.
of which 14 can be targeted and guided at the same time..
A better comparison is the F-15E to the MKI..
with similar avionics.. and capabilities sans maneuverability.
The recent exersize is not the first one..
and PAF pilots flying Chinese, Indonesian, British.. and Arab jets is not a new thing either..
Threat awareness.. is not a new trend for the PAF.