The F-35 Is a Masterpiece Built for the Wrong War
Summary
The article argues that while the F-35 is highly capable, it is not suited for a long, peer-level conflict due to cost, maintenance, and basing vulnerabilities. It proposes a mixed force with affordable, replaceable unmanned systems to complement limited manned fighters, arguing for mass and resilience over niche precision. The piece highlights the need for a smarter defense procurement approach and warns against designing around a single platform.