[pyx]

...the F22 (which will be among the last generation of manned fighters.)

I'm not completely certain about that. I see that unmanned aircraft are incredibly useful, cost effective and have an terrific future.
None-the-less, the premise of the argument for this thread is just plain stupid. Aircraft were born in the 19th century as were battleships. Aircraft matured in the 20th century as did the battleship. They BOTH (are) and will be valid, necessary, cost-efficient and effective weapons in the 21st century.

[ASA Vet]

I'm not certain of it either, but the potential is there. Probably a mix will come first with the expendable unpiloted stuff going in first followed by our manned aircraft.

Of course Battleships could still have a use, but weighing that use against their target value is a decision already made by the top Navy planners. The Battleships lost.

[Polybius]

None-the-less, the premise of the argument for this thread is just plain stupid. Aircraft were born in the 19th century as were battleships. Aircraft matured in the 20th century as did the battleship. They BOTH (are) and will be valid, necessary, cost-efficient and effective weapons in the 21st century.

"Aircraft" and "battleships" are not analogous.

"Aircraft" would be analogous to "sea-going vessels".

A "battleship" is only a technological stage in the evolution of warships and that evolution has been progressing for thousands of years.

The question is not whether sea-going vessels have a future but if time and technology have made the battleship join the trireme and the triple-decker in the dust bin of history.