The clue is one of the people in the teaser.

The railgun will be a powerful means of defense against pink flying unicorns.

FBW – STOVL directly added >1500 lb of engine weight (vs 2 x F414s). The giant storm drain down the middle of the fuselage complicates loadpaths and system runs (a factor in the 2003 weight gain). Now add growth factor to all those margins. As A500 says, the length constraint (the jet is 14 feet shorter than the Shornet, even with the long tails) and the forward fan bay are what screw up the transonic drag.

RATS!

(Ram Air Turbines, that is)

I would suggest that while this topic generally results in a spirited discussion on message boards like this one there really isn’t much of a debate in the professional world.

I would suggest, Hopinator, that this statement is rubbish, except in nations where arrogance, know-nothingism and character assassination are deployed at all levels to defend a decision that was taken in haste 12 years ago on the basis of bad data.

See the actions of Sweden and France; China and Russia developing stealth platforms and technology (but not against the same threat as the West must address) while continuing to develop classic fighters; the last two-plus years of statements out of the USN; the recent CNAS study produced under the leadership of the next DepSecDef, and the fight over UCLASS requirements. Yes, there is debate, globally and at the highest levels.

The question is not whether stealth is useless or dead, but what level is needed to achieve enduring effects, against the likely threat, when combined with other capabilities and sound tactical doctrine.

Crow11 – To learn anything about the F-35, go to f-16.net and read everything by Sgt Macandcheese, GTX, Mr Potato Head, Mr Angry aka Sferrin and the rest. The truth is usually the exact opposite.

Spud – Yes, Rover appeared after SDD started.

However, it is now essential (that is, it has been mandatory for CAS in some AORs) for the primary mission of the third largest customer, and has been so since 2008-10. If not added outside the Block process it will not now be available until 2022, seven years after that customer’s alleged IOC and 14 years after its value was recognized.

Clearly, a highly flexible and adaptable system.

Loke – …and about 27 reasons why Herr Doktor should not pontificate about technology that he does not know anything about.

And then where is your weight saving?