[CapricornNoble]

You're conflating a lot of different things in your response.

The F-35, as a low-observable, sensor-linked, MANNED platform, has an important role to play for striking targets in a jammed, high-threat environment. That's all I was saying. I'm not defending the PRICETAG of this ridiculously-expensive and (IMO) poorly-managed boondoggle, just the unique capabilities of the platform. I think the US procurement system in the 21st century is badly broken and has probably contributed to an erosion of our overall military overmatch. I hate gold-plated profiteering junk and argue that hard, realistic training + rugged, simple tech will deliver an economically-viable force that punches above its weight. It's like the US learned all of the WRONG lessons from the WW2 German mil-industrial complex. But my solutions aren't sexy, and definitely aren't a license to print money. Probably why my personal interest is in teaching the militaries of developing economies how to "level up" their capabilities quickly without breaking the bank.

>>>What new threat are we facing here

See my other response here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27376597