The program is a cluster f☆☆k…
Unfortunately, this is just one example of a huge R and D project that the US has poured billions into, with almost nothing to show for it.
The truly sad thing, is that countries like China, hack us, and steal what technology was learned, without having to spend the time, or money.
Defense spending ,in the US, is one of the biggest scams in history. Defense contractors rake in countless dollars, and rarely have to conform to any timescale, or expectations.
Uugh. We do need an eventual replacement, all purpose fighter. So, I wouldn’t want to see the project scraped. Especially after all the money invested. The US will make some money back by selling the aircraft to other,ally countries. The more that can be arranged to be sold, the more the costs will come down.
The kinks are many, in part, because the systems are so advanced. In time, the developers will trouble shoot,and correct most issues. How much time,and money, nobody can say…
The M-16 was an advanced weapon when it hit the battlefield. Unfortunately, it was a terrible weapon for anything but ideal weather, and maintenance. Many US troops were found dead (in Vietnam) with full clips, and would have been better off with a spear. The weapon never approached the dependability of the AK-47. The weapon system it was supposed to be better than.
In time, the platform was upgraded. Adding piston driven systems, and teaching proper maintenence helped develope the AR platforms that are less susceptible to conditions of the battlefield , and so desirable today.
Warfare technology is like any other. It takes trial, and error. Hopefully, the F-35 will eventually be polished into what it’s original designers intended.
I wish that we,as a species, would get to a point where diplomatic means were explored as thoroughly as these weapons systems…