The Lightning carries with it the most advance system in the world. It's sensors, displays, arms, fly by wire and more edges the tip of every advance flight technology you heard of.
It greatest gift by its designers have given it is its stealth design. It also maybe it's curse. We shall see.
The other foreseeable flaw is it is of one engine. This will also reduce its thrust to weight ratio significantly. Thus it may limit the amount of extra pod, armament and refuelling tank that it may carry. More importantly it will surely effect the time it takes to distant itself from incoming missiles and also reduce it chances when dogfight scenarios arise. Of course there future plans to produce a more powerful engine. So far the plan have been shelved until further notice.
All in all there is a clear path of the aircraft has been set. Of course along the way minor detours will have very little effect of derailing the programme, only slowing it down to the extent of spiralling up the cost. Mind you the venture is to big to let it fail. Anyhow, it is the last big recalcitrant project of the west before China overtakes them.
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