How 'bout a thread on the F-22 with no mud slinging, no axe grinding, no emotional diatribes, and just some clear, objective discussion?

The things I'd be most interested in a

1. Was the YF-22/YF-23 a fair flyoff or was it a case of Northop
designing what the air force asked for and Lockheed giving them what
they really wanted? How much of the decision was based on the
capabilities of the aircraft and how much on the track record of the
companies involved?

2. Is there anything unheard of popping up in the F-22's flight
testing that hasn't happened in other programs? IIRC the F-15
experienced delamination on the horizontal stabilizers. They also
clipped the wingtips and added the dogtooth to the horizontal stab.
The F-18 had to have those small strakes added to the top of the LERX.
The F-100 experienced roll reversal. The F-102 wouldn't go fast
enough without a substantial redesign. So is there anything
extraodinarily unusual about the kinks they're working out on the F-22
or is a mountain being made of a mole hill?

3. Was it really necessairy to add that "A" in? Has it really fooled
any politicians?

4. Is there any rational reason for the air force to push forward
with the F-22 if it *is* having significant problems?

5. Is there a way to cram two AIM-9Xs in the space taken by one -9M?

That's about all I can think of at the moment. Any takers?