But there's also a lot to be said for the configuration advantages of a twin, with a natural spine for structural loads and system runs, that's also protected by the engines. Brackets and pipes &c to carry the system runs around that vast engine tunnel were ID'd as the source of a lot of the weight problems on JSF.
YF-16 versus YF-17 decisions. The Air Force didn't take your advice.
What a terrible mistake was made,