Could it be that we’ve reached the point of diminishing returns, technologically speaking, with fighter aircraft, and that, just maybe, this new generation (post F-15, F-16, F/A-18) are just hyper-expensive, hyper high-maintenance white elephants that don’t deliver any more bang for the buck, and maybe quite less, than the current generation?
I’m just a dumba$$ retired Soldier, but that is an interesting point.
Can you say “F-111?”
Re-learning lessons from the past. . .