Wing Design?

Swept Wing, Delta Wing, Clipped Delta, Canarded Delta, Canarded Swept Wing(?), Forward Swept Wing, This… thing, Variable Geometry Wing, wings with LERX, etc, etc.

There are a lot of different wing arrangement for fighter aircraft as well as other jets, such as bombers. I am interested in what differences these different wing planforms have in relation to each other, and how they affect the qualities of the aircraft.

For example, the three newest fighter jets from Europe, the aptly-named eurocanards, all have the canarded delta configuration. Same with the Chinese J-10. While in the US, the F-22 and F-35 both have conventional clipped delta arrangements. While Russia is still relying on it’s Flanker series with the standard swept wing, sometimes with added canards. And on top of all that, the VG wing has seemingly disappeared completely, as well as Forward-Swept wings except for the singular Su-47 testbed still flying.

What differences do these different wing designs have? I guess the main question though is, why each country chose that particular wing design for their latest aircraft (USAF’s Clipped Delta for their F-22, France’s choice of a Canarded Delta for their Rafale, etc.) What made the European aircraft manufacturers all go for canarded delta arrangements and so forth?

I would like to hear what you guys have to say. Advantages, disadvantages; energy performance, maneuverability, handling, relevance, etc. How has FBW and Thrust Vectoring affected the development of wings for combat aircraft? Your facts and opinions, please. And, dare I ask, what is the “best” wing arrangement in your opinion?

Last but not least, what in the holy hell would you call the YF-23’s wing? :confused: