[Nowhere Man]

You need to do some research on the F-35. It’s not even close to the F-22. The F-22 is a major leap beyond the F-15. The F-35 may or may not be all that much better than the airplanes it is supposed to replace in terms of range, load, agility, etc.

The F-22 is a great aircraft, it builds up where we left off with the F-14/F-15. I don't know, this is just a feeling but the F-35 looks like a piece of junk to put things in a nutshell. I'd rather bring back the F-5 or go to the boneyard and bring back some old Sabre-Jets and update them with modern avionics and fire control systems than use the F-35.

[GBA]

I see the F-35 as a big assed engine in a stealthy airframe with some reliable (eventually) and fast computers and software running things. It is definitely a step forward, but it's also a compromise that tries to do too many things and be everything to all branches. Those compromises usually mean more weight and more weight means less performance, range, payload, etc.

Once it's in service, the branches and countries flying it will figure it out, how to use it and how to improve it. Just takes time and money and more money.

The F-22 is a big leap beyond the F-15. The F-35 will be an improvement on the AV-8B and it has supercruise, unlike the F-18 and F/A-18. It has stealth and computer power over all of three and much easier maintenance, but is it a major leap better at doing the job it needs to do? We'll have to wait and see...someday...