Originally Posted by
Asturias56
You are correct but looking around no-one is currently developing an advanced VTOL fighter/strike aircraft after the F-35. The limitations you incur with carrying a lift only engine (s) are just too much. The genius of the Harrier family was that here was no wasted engine on board and even then it was somewhat compromised by the VTOL role
Think that your take is spot on.
If Boeing had not gutted their engineering competence, their X-32 contender for the F/A-X contract might have have prevailed, instead of the truly unimpressive Lockheed F-35.
Afaik, the X-32 was essentially a modern take on the Harrier concept.