Ken and SSSETOWTF,
Personally I have a toe in the against camp. I don't doubt the majority of what you say- and I'm sure the aircraft will do a good job for a while- If the stealth, networking and sensors work as advertised it will be a "game changer"
But what I can't shake is the thought that the energy performance of the aircraft is not what it should be - and this comes directly from the compromises made to make a common VSTOL version.
If I had had the chance of playing god and was program director I would have:
1) Killed the B at birth and recommended a separate lower tech VSTOL machine for the Marines
2) improved the air/air capability of the aircraft - at the expense of its air/ground capability if necessary.
Would you have produced the 3 versions just as they are today or how would you have changed the specs?
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this?
Cheers
TR