I've read (can't remember where) that the F-35 owes much to the Russian YAK-41.
I don't know if that's true and I'll leave that to people like Eric Palmer, Bill Sweetman and other to figure out. What I do know is that this small passage from Wikipedia is beyond interesting....
Following the announcement by the CIS that it could no longer fund development of the Yak-41M, Yakovlev immediately entered into discussions with several foreign partners who could help fund the program (a tactic they were also pursuing for development of the Yak-130 trainer, which was eventually developed in partnership with Aermacchi of Italy). Lockheed Martin, which was in the process of developing the X-35 for the US Joint Strike Fighter program, quickly stepped forward, and with their assistance 48-2 was displayed at the Farnborough Airshow in September 1992. Yakovlev announced that they had reached an agreement with Lockheed-Martin for funds of $385 to $400 million for three new prototypes and an additional static test aircraft to test improvements in design and avionics. Planned modifications for the proposed Yak-41M included an increase in STOL weight to 21,500 kg (47,400 lb). One of the prototypes would have been a dual-control trainer. Though no longer flyable, both 48-2 and 48-3 were exhibited at the 1993 Moscow airshow. The partnership began in late 1991, though it was not publicly revealed by Yakovlev until 6 September 1992, and was not revealed by Lockheed-Martin until June 1994.[1]How much the Russians contributed to the F-35 is unknown. I'd love to find out though.
But how about this for a what if.
If the F-35 was cancelled, which way would the Marine Corps go? A stripped down version without stealth? A re-winged AV-8B Harrier with a more powerful Pegasus engine?
Or would they stand pat and wait for a 6th gen to come out.
These aren't crazy questions anymore. Sequestration. A defense review this year, and another next. Its obvious that the defense budget is about to get ravaged. And we still need to get our Armored house in order. How do you accomplish all that with decreasing funds?
