CM - Good point.
I have said here and elsewhere that the USAF's core requirement was for something like an F-117, but that would be (a) able to survive in daylight, (b) not limited to clear air bombing and (c) able to find and attack moving targets. The F-35A should be able to do that, if at a high price.
The USAF also wanted something that could be loaded up to do an F-16 job on "Day 2" (I am aware that is a figure of speech). But that's not as urgent because there will be lots of upgraded AESA-fitted Vipers until 2030, on current plans.
The Navy core requirement was for a stealth bomber, with the Super H/Growler doing everything else. Again. that's doable, as long as there are no nasties lurking between here and carrier qualification.
But if you want a fighter that does everything fighters do, and considering the range and payload limits of the B model, and if your budget is not bottomless...
Capt: It is remarkable how long train wrecks can continue in this business, because some of these trains are about 3000 cars long...
Last edited by LowObservable; 5th Feb 2013 at 19:43.