Originally Posted by
melmothtw
I'd say that's the exception rather than the rule. Everyone points to the F-111B, but conveniently forget the F-4, A-4, Buccaneer, F/A-18, Rafale, etc, that are all highly successful carrier and land-based aircraft.
But it also worth pointing out that the F-4, A-4, Buccaneer and F/A-18 (and A-7 and E-2) were designed for naval carrier operations, not as joint programs. They just so happened to be of utility, and good all around aircraft, for some land based air forces. The USAF and Royal Air Force had little to no input on their original specifications (the F/A-18 did have some heritage from the YF-17). Had they been forced as joint programs the planes likely would have been further compromised from their original Naval requirements. The Rafale does get credit from starting with both requirements.