More problems with F-35 joint strike fighter are revealed

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6. The F-111 is probably the best analogy

In that case, the ability to be both a fighter and a bomber coupled with the "swing wing" design made for an overweight and high-maintenance aircraft that didn't do much well.

They have the vertical takeoff powerplant of the F-35C on a stand at the Udvar-Hazy museum at Dulles. It is huge, and I'd think that designing the airframe to be able to accommodate it led to some suboptimal choices. It may also be the reason that there are weaknesses and cracking in the structure.

Now that the Brits are going with electrical catapaults on their aircraft carrier, and since they'll be ordering the F-35B, designing for vertical takeoff was a clear mistake. Regardless of what the US Marines say.