And what exactly do you replace it with? The programmes which resulted in the F-15 and A-10 ran concurrent to the F-111 while Grumman also worked on the F-14. The only ‘alternatives’ now are older systems.
First, what “need” does the F-35 fulfill? So far as I can see, it is a platform designed to fulfill political needs first, tactical combat operations second.
Why was or is there a need to create a joint-role platform with other countries? Their command and control infrastructure cannot keep up with ours, so I see no reason under the sun to hamper or distort *our* requirements to deal with those of our “allies.” I put that word in quotes, because if a real shooting war ever breaks out, we’ll find out just what we’ve found out in Iraq and Afghanistan - they’re ‘allies’ in the sense that they’ll hold our coats and offer ‘constructive advice’ from the sidelines.
Second, we’ve learned the hard way with the F-111 that multi-role aircraft usually either suck, or they become exorbitantly expensive.
In that light, why would we want to replace the F-35 with anything like it? Let’s drop the mental masturbation of allowing our “allies” to set any specifications on OUR fighter aircraft and build what WE need.