Thanks for the info, guys. That all makes sense.

Were the Europeans onto something with the Eurofighter Typhoon? It is electronically modern, fast, agile, and far less expensive than an F-22/35, but does lack stealth. Given China and Russia's realistic capabilities, perhaps our efforts would have been better served by creating our own clean sheet design 4.5 gen fighter. I have a hard time believing that either of those countries has the technological and financial capabilities to produce in large numbers a legitimate threat to an aircraft like the F-22/35.

What happens if we really are only able to buy a couple hundred F-35s and F-22s? Doesn't seem like enough jets to me. Something will have to fill that gap. Our own clean-sheet 4.5gen design. It will be known from the outset to not be quite as good as a Raptor or JSF, but still superior to the legacy fighters of today. And hopefully cheaper...but knowing our system that is in place, it would just get screwed up as well.