Some sources suggest that they're not even going to
purchase 48, which really brings us back to the fact that we just can't afford anything approaching a full size aircraft carrier.
how is the 5th Generation F-35B lacking in capability
I'm sure it isn't. It's just less capable than the F-35C, in terms of range, speed, payload, etc. And more expensive. And it's only necessary to go to slightly more off-the-wall sources to get the impression that the low observability will be obsolete before it's even fielded. Low-frequency radars, etc.
Might as well have stuck with harrier, no?
P