Solaris, it may be that they learn some "tough" lessons...and that is expected when you are trying to advance the technology the way the F-35 is, and doing so across three services...but in the end it will be anything but "bitter."I seriously hope the Pentagon has learned its bitter lesson regarding the ridiculous concept known as "concurrency" with the F-35 program. I'm sick of my tax dollars being sunk into Lockmart's coffers.
The F-35, in its three forms, will be viewed in histroy as one of the most successful, most versatile, and most capable aircraft acquisitions in history.
It will become this generation's "F-16," and more.
It will be the most exported and used fifth generation aircraft in history, and it will perform extremely well over its life span.
I am willing to wager that there will not be another 5th generation fighter built that will be as overall dominant across the board, Air Forces, Navies, and Marines, as the F-35 will be, nor one that will be as produced...probably not another one that will have as many as 20% the numbers that the F-35 will have.
And those numbers, and that proliferation to so many nations, whose planners will choose the F-35 (and indeed, already are) will speak for itself...despite all of the naysaying.
