JF - "Usually reliability gets better as you avoid complexity."
So true. Thank goodness that the F-35B is a nice, simple system with two propulsion units, a clutch, 90-degree 20MW reduction gears, four thrust nozzles, a blocker valve, a set of cascades and nine cover doors.
Actually, I tend to agree with Engines that making all this work is a miracle of engineering. I do worry that it will always be a bit of a bear from the maintenance aspect.