"One of the design criteria was that the f-35 would spiral upgrade without hitting hardware walls"
I interpret that as you saying that all future software upgrades will run on the current hardware. Or plugin replacements for the existing hardware
Do you realise how conceptually nonsensical that is?
Do you realise how limiting that is? Basically you are saying the aircraft was designed with processors which will still be a valid design in 40 years time.
Two words
Utter bollox