Re: $ 391,000,000,000
The US defence budget was 3.3% of gdp in 2015 (according to the world bank) and Trumps budget wants to up this considerably/
NATO treaty mandates 2% and several nations have been below this for years the UK slipped under 2% at the 2013 SDR.
The US defence budget is still greater than the next 7 largest combined, and they have to find some way to spend the money (or they might not get it next year)
IMHO UK.Gov made mistakes getting involved, BAe / RR could have warmed over the Harrier, replacing the Spey core in Pegasus with the Trent, and using the size difference to improve the aero and produce supersonic forward flight. The Blue Vixen LDSD Radar / AMRAAM combo on the GR9 was one of the best air defence platforms available.
USA.gov made the mistake of thinking that you get the Air Force, Navy and Marines in a room and you can make one design that meets all their needs. Did they not learn from the Eurofighter / Typhoon debacle. UK.gov replaced several specialist aircraft with the "multi-role" fighter that was a jack of all and master of none.
From the looks of the F35 progress, its not a master of anything, and it scarcely makes jack in most things. The combination in current service F-15, F-16, F-18, F22, AV8-B, A-10 are cheaper per unit and more effective and more efficient
Biting the hand that feeds IT
