Salute!
Agree, TD...
Viper should have set the standard model. The F-35 kept getting changes to the original spec, and looks like they did well until the big contract was awarded. The EPG arrangement for the Viper played a huge role in the transition from the YF-16 to the production model. USAF bought the thing cause with co-production and such, the suckers could roll off the line for a really great price, and GD had a good line concept that actually cranked out lottsa airframes in short order.
We had numerous additions during the 1979 to 1984 years when I flew the thing. Nevertheless, the plane would have done everything that was claimed when the contract was awarded, and we had a very friendly U.S. administration then.
I did not realize the influence of the so-called deep state until working as a government contract weenie. Mod after mod, delay after delay, $$$ after dollar. The folks depending upon continuing a program did more to slow up the F-35 than many realize.
Gums opines...