When spectators are impressed by the aerobatic flight performance of modern fighter jets at airshows, they are often missing what makes a fighter jet cutting edge. The fighter jet’s sensors, computers, and situational awareness is arguably more important. The F-35’s much anticipated Technology Refresh 3 upgrade is set to make the jet even more lethal. It is continual improvements like this that give the United States a “crushing” advantage in maturing its fighter jets over smaller competitors like European countries and Russia (China is perhaps the only other country able to continue to invest in and improve its jets on a similar level). The F-35 is still not a mature platform. Even though it is already the world’s most advanced fighter jet, it is far from reaching its full potential.