[jhpaul]

I think partly this comes from the general perception of the F-35 program as a boondoggle and failure combined with the decades long production hell this film went through. Also the sponsorship from Lockheed Martin.

While it ultimately produced a capable plane, the Joint Strike Fighter spent 15 years as the next generation, failed to meet several critical goals, and still hasn't entered full production.

Better to stick to concept planes (SR-72), the plane from the first movie (F-14) and another common carrier plane (F-18).

[mhh__]

Is the F-35 not in full production? There are already more F-35s than super hornets for example.

[jhpaul]

As of March 2022 it sounds like they are targeting mid-2023 to pass final testing, after which the plane would enter full production [0]. There's certainly many F-35s in service worldwide though.

[0]: https://breakingdefense.com/2022/03/full-rate-production-for...

[null_shift]

That has literally nothing to do with it. What is the purpose of speculating here? It is because they needed a two seat aircraft for filming.