We already have something even stealthier and less vulnerable.
It’s called a submarine.
This sounds like another of those military-industrial complex deals Ike warned us about where the new ship or aircraft or weapons system is just an incidental byproduct.
The cash flow generated by the contract is the true product.
That's absolutely true. A lot of these expensive systems are just jobs programs -- and bribes to important senators. The Zumwalt, for example, had components made (money spent) in almost every state -- about 80 senators could claim jobs and money for their constituents because of this thing.
I happen to think it's a pretty cool ship. But expensive. And I don't think it was built so that we could assert military power. I think it's just because the government has an overwhelming need to spend money.
The F-35 is the same thing: a bad plane. Everyone knows it. But the big benefit from the F-35 is that it is hideously expensive. From a political viewpoint, that ridiculous cost is a plus: it means jobs.
We need surface ships too. This is a new stealthy model that packs quite a punch. I don’t see it as a military-industrial complex problem.
Our Navy is shrinking, and we need to get more boats in the water unless third-rate banana republic is now the flavor of the day.