If a fighter can't effectively engage at short range, it isn't a fighter. It has to be decent at short range. Then it can be optimized to be best in longer-range engagements. But if it is a sure loser at short ranges, it is a loser period.
This is typical USAF, which has always placed its institutional interests ahead of the national interest even when that is openly laughable. The USAF's insistence that only officer pilots can operate drones is the best current example of this. We'd be much better off if the USAF is folded back into the Army.
“We’d be much better off if the USAF is folded back into the Army.”
Since you obviously know nothing about air combat, I guess I’m free to ignore this suggestion as well.