Fighter jets have evolved greatly from 10 years ago . New engines which consume less fuel and travel greater distances . New missiles which have a longer lock range and bombs which are more accurate (depending on the pilots targeting skills).

The newest and most expensive fighter jet which will shortly come into service is the F-35 JSF (Joint Strike Fighter). There are a few models of this jet called the X-35A (U.S. Air Force), X-35B (U.S. Marine Corps/U.K. Royal Navy and Royal Air Force) and X-35C (U.S. Navy) . The X-35B building programme was started three months after work began on the A-model.

The F-35 JSF fighter jet is the next- generation replacement strike fighter aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and the U.K. Royal Navy and Royal Air Force . Thanks to their superb technology and design the different F-35 JSF planes all demonstrated superior quality in aerial refueling, handling , acceleration and deceleration, formation flying at different altitudes, and logged many other achievements, including supersonic flight .Like the harrier the JSF is capable of performing STOVL (short-takeoff/vertical landing) but with superior stability and speed .The F-35 JSF's top seed is much higher than the harriers and in addition it is a STEALTH jet. Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce will supply major propulsion-system components for the aircraft, while General Electric is developing an alternate engine. The radar cannot detect it . Therefore a safer jet to fight in.

The JSF is to be produced in three versions: a carrier based version (CV); a short take off and landing version (STOVL) and a conventional take off and landing version (CTOL). The whole project cost was of $200 billion . It is believed that the CTOL version will have a projected unit cost of £26 million (US$40 million) with the CV and STOVL versions a unit cost around £33 million (US£50 million). The wingspan and length are 10.7 metres and an overall length of 15.47 metres . This plane will enter active military service In the UK in 2012. The UK version of the plane is armed with cannon (in underslung pods) , AMRAAM/ASRAAM air-to-air missiles. Internal bomb bays will be fitted.
The plane is supposed to be a great success, let's hope so .
You don’t want to waste 50$ million for nothing.