Expecting flak but here's my general understanding and then a question.
The F-35 is touted as being able to fly almost unrestricted within an IADS, hoovering up information and then sharing it with the team. It can use its radar and other sensors to then attack various systems. It has a warload but much has been made of its abilities outside of the kinetic in the traditional form.
Can someone please explain for the benefit of a truckie who slept through a lot of the EWO course why this role can't predominantly be carried out by a non fighter aircraft? If the F-35 is borderline invisible and does much of its work through non traditional non kinetic means why use a fighter design? Why not use something not limited by "fighter" design requirements that would easily be more stealthy and more persistent.
To be clear I'm not advocating not having a stealthy fighter, just asking why we need so many fighters in what is effectively a non fighter role?