You know it's failed when they're looking for F-16 extensions and "clean sheet" designs for another "low". Upgrades to the F/A-18 and A-10 would suffice and make the F-35, F-16, AV-8B, and EA-6B redundant for far less money. And why buy 351 dedicated trainers (T-7's) for $25M/each when F-16's could be stripped down for the same role for effectively free? (Sorry Marines, V/STOL is a dumb requirement that's too expensive, and the Osprey is a deadly POS.)
The DoD exists first to feed MIC pork projects and maximize the number of subcontractors, and "defense" second.
The DoD exists first to feed MIC pork projects and maximize the number of subcontractors, and "defense" second.