[remus]

> In a real war there would be a much sharper focus on building planes that can fight and win. But that what the enemies of the US are already doing and it’ll be too late for the US when it needs the right planes.

I think this is partly because if you are not currently at war then you don't know who or when you will be at war with and what exactly the threats will look like so you end up designing for a range of scenarios. If you're currently in the midst of a big war than the requirements are clearer (but certainly not clear!)