When I hear F35, all I can think about is they wanted an F22 with only one engine which they could export.
They want it to replace the A10. It can’t do what the A10 does. They want it to replace aging F15’s, F16’s, F18’s. Each of those planes, still are better. (The F18 I am not sure of. Was AF not Navy)
The AF should have bought 350 F22’s and sold 50 to Israel, 50 to Australia, and 50 to South Korea. That would have turned the world on its head.
I would sell 50 to Taiwan, but I much prefer giving them two fully loaded Ohio Class subs.