I agree with everything you wrote except for the strike part. The idea that the F-35 needs to be a mini F-22 is one I don't understand. It's designed to be a striker, to replace the F-16, the Harrier, and to help the CVW get a survivable striker with longer range than the Super Bug, and a bit of self-defense capability. Just as the F-16 isn't tasked very often with CAP, same with the F-35. I think the F-35 will excel at strike