[tanknetter]

all I hear is bad stuff about the F-35 and F-22 programs.

Both are young, bleeding-edge programs. Teething problems are to be expected. The F-111, B-1B, F-14 and other aircraft had their issues too, but matured into world-beating aircraft in their respective categories. The V-22 is another one that looks like it's turning out pretty well.

One of the big problems with the F-35 is marketing. It's presumed to be a "fighter" because of the "F" designation. In reality it's a light attack aircraft in the same class (roughly) as the A-7 Corsair II. Just one that's also stealthy, supersonic and having really good first-see/first-shot/first-kill air-to-air capability.

[Carriage Hill]

I hope they survive and prosper over the decades. I’m a big fan of the B-1B and SR-71 Blackbird, and think they were two of the slickest units ever built.