Working with the constraints off of a carrier, makes things hard. USN were the driver of the specs. The elevators limited the length, It had to be shortened. A USN requirement was that it carried 2 internal 2k bombs, Originally USAF and USMC were happy with 1k. The USN also wanted a large munition load, which is 18k, I don't recall what the USAF requirements were. The B also put limitations. It had to be single engine. It also needed to have the performance of a F-16 and F-18. So we have performance, load and range. Pick 2 and put up with the 3rd one. I've seen said before. Then add a size limitation.
It's funny that no one complains of the F-22 range, which is shorter on internal fuel. Drop tanks aren't a deal breaker either. The same applies to the eurocanards.
Last edited by golder; 30th Apr 2020 at 04:40.