We have planes that make the F-35C look like the Sopwith Camel, why are we dilly-dallying with this nonsense?
Lockheed has to be making HUGE payments to someone.
Which planes would that be?
This is possible, but nothing ready for production. Do you have other information?
IMHO, the Navy shot themselves in the foot with the capability gap between the F-14 and F-18 by dumping the Tomcat. The Super Hornet closed that gap a bit, but it is still there in spades. The F-35 does little to help things, being ground attack oriented. Pretty stupid to get rid of your only long range fighter without a replacement.
Long range fleet defense is sorely lacking and nothing coming up? Maybe it is back to the late 50's thinking that missiles will take care of everything.
Part suppliers spread throughout 50 states... it’s about politics not capabilities for the military.