I've pondered long and hard about one thing.
Why does the F-35 scare its critics so much?
I can come up with only one answer.
It will drive fighter production and innovation for the foreseeable future.
Consider this.
With just the Navy/Marine Corps buy of this airplane, it will out number the total production of Eurofighters in service or planned.
With the combined Air Force/Navy/Marine Corps buy, it will out strip the purchase of the Eurofighter, Rafale and Gripen.
It will be---with just US purchases of this airplane...the dominant fighter on the planet.
Add in the allies and you have total dominance in the fighter market.
And thats the real fear. Another market that the US will dominate...and for some that must not be allowed...even if their industry has a stake in the production.
