The problems of the F-35 could summed up simply:
1. The F-35 has to be a heavy fighter/bomber wunderplane
2. It has to have a common component based vertical take off version.
3. Because of no2 it could have only one engine
4. Because of no3 the engine has to be light, and more complicated than a normal jet engine
5. because the no1 ,3 and 4 the engine has to be light, high trust ,high efficiency
6. Because the no 5 the chamber temperature has to be high, and the mass of internal components low. -> require unobtanium
They designed the plane a bit beyond the available material characteristics , they needed maybe +20 years to have the unobtanium to make the engines, but there was no patience.
Now, there is China, Russia, Europe , Germany Iran and so on getting off from the controlled shipping lanes, or developing they own control mechanism.
So, end of story. Every previous mistake was overgrown by the expanding empire, but there is no place to conquer now.
Just adding one final ironic bit... [2] originally included vertical landing in a forward area.
After the F-35B was all set and done THEN people realized because of the extreme heat exhaust, the plane can only land on pre-positioned special metal plating. Operationally, this means the plane must return to where it came from after each trip thus severely limiting both the sortie rate and range.
In retrospect, since F-35 failed to deliver on [2], they didn't have to trade off [3], [4], [5], and [6]. I remember someone wrote in Aviation Week that had they skipped [2], they would have come up with something just like the J-31.
Almost as tragi-comedic as the CDG finding out after it is built that its runway is a bit short for the planes to take off from.
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Pasted from Wiki:
"The USMC plans to disperse its F-35Bs among forward deployed bases to enhance survivability while remaining close to a battlespace, similar to RAF Harrier deployment in the Cold War, which relied on the use of off-base locations that offered short runways, shelter, and concealment. Known as distributed STOVL operations (DSO), F-35Bs would operate from temporary bases in allied territory within the range of hostile ballistic and cruise missiles and be moved between temporary locations inside the enemy's 24- to 48-hour targeting cycle; this strategy accounts for the F-35B's short range, the shortest of the three variants, with mobile forward arming and refueling points (M-Farps) accommodating
and
aircraft to rearm and refuel the jets, as well as littoral areas for sea links of mobile distribution sites. M-Farps can be based on small airfields, multi-lane roads, or damaged main bases, while F-35Bs return to rear-area USAF bases or friendly ships for scheduled maintenance. Helicopter-portable metal planking is needed to protect unprepared roads from the F-35B's engine exhaust; the USMC are studying lighter heat-resistant alternatives.
"
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1999 PARIS (AP) _ If it’s not one thing it’s another.
France’s brand-new multibillion dollar aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, cut short its January maiden voyage because of engine troubles. Now the Defense Ministry says the carrier’s runway is too short.
A ministry statement said studies were underway to see if the 637-foot runway on the nuclear-powered carrier should be lengthened by 13 feet.
