Re: If only you REALLY knew....
Hi, Mark: True, I don't know about the nuts and bolts of the F-35 but I trust the science and engineering/ design that have gone into it are pretty impressive.
But I DO know that (a) the Pentagram and the manufacturer (Lockheed?) have been less than forthcoming about the true noise impacts to neighborhoods and residents adjacent to the bases where this magnificent boondoggle will be bedded down, instead warbling on about potential impacts deduced from "noise modelling" which may be well and good, but what about some real deal flyovers with certified sound measurements? Nope, no can do, just trust us, it'll all be fine. Until it's not, as the citizens of Valparaiso found out.
And (b) the cost overruns have been staggering, yet the proponents of this aircraft have been careful to lard almost every state in Amurka with a piece of the construction work to ensure that most Congresscritters will support it for the "jobs"; had the production (and testing and et cetera) been concentrated in one or two states, I am pretty sure it would have had the plug pulled long before now.
So, I dunno, given the shenanigans used to get the thing approved (give every state a small slice of the action) and how American citizens near the beastie are being treated (read: disregarded at best and usually disrespected) for trying to protect their homes and kids -- and I shudder to think how we'll treat "furriners" with the misfortune to live near 'Merkin bases overseas -- I think I have all I need to know. But I'd he happy to read anything you'd care to share.