An article in The National Interest takes a dim view of the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter which is three years late to become operational. The concept was to create one plane that could fulfill multiple roles - air superiority, ground attack, etc. It has been plagued with problems.
Let me make an analogy to explain why I believe this was a wrong-headed decision. The other DrC and I have owned a series of RVs continuously since 1972.
Working with limited floor space, RV designers are tempted to make a particular feature do several different jobs. Inevitably, such multi-functional items never do any of the jobs as well as a unit dedicated to a single purpose.
Our first RV, a small 20' class C mini-motorhome, had a sofa that unfolded to become the bed and was also where one sat to eat at a fold-down table. The bed was crowded, too close to the floor, and not comfortable. The sofa was okay for lounging but uncomfortable for eating.
Our current RV has a separate sofa, a dining table with chairs, and a bed. Each fulfills its single purpose better than any multipurpose item could.
Asking an item to do many things means it rarely does any of them well. I fear that will be the fate of the F-35: not enough of a hot rod to be a good air superiority fighter and not enough of a truck to be a good ground support plane/light bomber.
