While it's easy to heap criticism on the F-35B, it would be nice if people also appreciated just how difficult a task the F-35B's design presented. The shaft driven lift fan concept developed by
Dr. Bevilaqua was a very impressive piece of engineering. And the fact that LM/Allison/R-R/P&W got it to work was also impressive. Do people realize just how difficult it is to design a 30,000hp carbon-carbon clutch reliable and light enough for use on a fighter aircraft?