Not exactly-The F-111 was stamped "operational" years before it actually was. When it reached actual operational status it was in trouble because it was nearing end-of-life operation and considered obsolete. The aircraft was also designed way "overkill" because of it's ability to laser a target, before laser guided bombs existed. All things like that have a way of working themselves out. It's better to have it and not need it-than to need it and not have it.
The F-111 AArdvark was a total failure in it's beginnings. Some just disappeared without a trace in Nam. But we kept after the problems, kept faith in it's future, and it became the world's premier tip of the spear. It saw much front line duty for years after that, and still does. I feel the F-22 will follow that course-
Hmmmmm-And in Vietnam, we thought it would be a hugh waste of money putting guns on our Fighters. In Korea we thought it would be a hugh waste of money to put jet aircraft on Carriers. If we dump our Military edge, why would the next war be a "cyber war"? Wars are for overthrowing governments and taking of land and resources. That can't be done with a computer. You must kill your opponent in a war-that's life. (and history).
True Peter-but the Concord is anything but a "quite technology" aircraft. The Ruskies are also developing this "quite" mode of supersonic flight, but from a different consept. Gosh, my Cessna 150 will never be the same now-
