Originally Posted by
Bksmithca
Given the cost of the F35 not sure how you can call it a low end fighter. And I suspect it's the other way around, the F22 will be supplementing the F35.
Well, it was supposed to be relatively much cheaper than the F-22, but reality intervened. In the event, the thing is sinfully expensive and fragile, so anything but 'cheap and cheerful' as was the F-16 .
That said, I don't see any of the competition being a whole lot cheaper, even though none of them are comparably stealthy. Given the costs, we may be close to the point where this WW2 fighter/bomber concept reaches its end point.
The failure of Russia to achieve air superiority in Ukraine despite extensive and expensive efforts may be a preview. Air defenses are getting too lethal. Cheaper and more expendable drones look to be taking over instead.