F-35 can vertically takeoff, can support carriers and has smaller and stealthier radar signature than cheaper planes.
Fighter airplanes have many roles, dogfight being one of them.
US also has cheaper F-14s, F-15s and F-16s to match.
Fighter airplanes have many roles, dogfight being one of them.
US also has cheaper F-14s, F-15s and F-16s to match.
If the planes are there to support the carrier then why is the carrier there?
You’ve got the whole concept backwards - the carrier is there to support the planes.
But why do you think the carrier is there in the first place? It's to support the planes. The planes are the whole point. If they could do without a carrier and just have the planes they would.