It was a “peace dividend” project, back from before China posed a credible threat and Russia looked like they were gonna actually try not being complete geopolitical psychos for a bit. All things considered, I think it’s matured into a remarkably capable weapon system given what it started as. Not to mention: despite its… somewhat lacking aerodynamics and kinematics, the connectivity (datalink), distributed systems, and sensor fusion that have become some of its core characteristics are genuinely game-changing.

I fully agree that it has some glaring flaws… but it’s also currently the 5th gen volume-production stealth fighter to beat, and nobody’s come close yet (yes, I’m including China’s J-20 and J-31; and no, as far as anyone outside of China has been able to determine, they are not as capable or stealthy as the F-35, and nowhere near the F-22 for stealth or air superiority).