From glojo
with a National Debt heading towards $18 trillion and going up by $3.96 billion per day then surely one day the penny will drop and drastic decisions might have to be made?
When the UK faced similar nationally challenging issues in the 60s and 70s the RN (even with their hugely powerful lobby) lost the conventional carriers (because they were deemed too expensive). Such speculation, especially as it relates to duplication in the US military, could just as easily have the axe fall everywhere but the USMC because, for example, conventional carriers remain hugely expensive.
Personally, I think the F35 will enter service in all its models, and so many will be manufactured over the next 30 years as to make our little discussion seem like your standard southern British Bed and Breakfast...quaint and full of English charm.
