Before demonstrating success, any advanced first-of-kind military technology is guaranteed to produce cost, technology, schedule and political nightmares. Whether in Canberra or Washington, those expeditions into the unknown provide targets for budget-cutting zealots. In the U.S., the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, Lockheed Martin P-22 Raptor, Navy A-12 and now the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter prove the point. The stealth fleet is about 10% of what it was once projected to be. Moreover, the proposed size of this unique stealth fleet continues to be whittled away just as low- observable technology is emerging in Russia and China.
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