This is the problem with pouring all of the requirements into one bucket. A single plane that does air superiority (F-15), stealth (F-117), naval air superiority (F-18), ground attack (A-10), vertical/short take off (Harrier), etc - it's just not going to work.
What the US really needs are a small number of stealth fighters (F-22), a larger number of air superiority fighters (F-15 silent eagles), a whole bunch of light attack aircraft (A-29s), and something to replace the A-10.
Sure, an A-29 is a prop plane that stands no chance against an F-15, but it is phenomenally cheap to operate, and fits a very large number of mission needs that the high performance jets are too expensive for.
What the US really needs are a small number of stealth fighters (F-22), a larger number of air superiority fighters (F-15 silent eagles), a whole bunch of light attack aircraft (A-29s), and something to replace the A-10.
Sure, an A-29 is a prop plane that stands no chance against an F-15, but it is phenomenally cheap to operate, and fits a very large number of mission needs that the high performance jets are too expensive for.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embraer_EMB_314_Super_Tucano