'kbrockman', I guess a USN Ensign knows the 'F-35C for USN' score - however I do not have a subscription to the USNI article you have linked. Care to elaborate.
Averting the Navy's Tactical Aircraft Crisis by Ensign Anthony C. Robinson, U.S. Navy Proceedings Magazine - June 2013 Vol. 139/6/1,324
Also your statement above [quote] needs some explanation I think:
"...[Shornet] it has the added benefit (contrary to the f35) that it can jettison superfluous loads (tanks, weapon pods, bombs) when it needs to so it can bravely but quickly and light leave the battle-scene heroically to fight another day...." [cannot the F-35 dump internal/external loads?]
Last edited by SpazSinbad; 6th Jun 2013 at 12:22.