Boeing F/A-18E/F:
Total program cost: $48.09 billion
Flyaway cost: $60.9 million

Max range: 1,800 Nautical miles
Max cruise altitude: 50K feet
Cruise spped (nominal): 1,034 knots
Cruise speed (long range): 1,034 knots

Engines: GE F414-GE-400 Twin Turbofans, 88,000 lbf maximum thrust
Weight: 32,081 lbs empty, 66,000 lbs max
Payload capacity: 34,000 lbs
Fuel volume: 4,467 gal

Armements: 1 AIM-120 AMRAAM, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, 1 20mm cannon, external detachable fuel tank



Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Total program cost: $1.0165 trillion (projected over 55 years)
Flyaway cost: $124.8 mil to $156.8 mil

Max range: 1,200 Nautical miles
Max cruise altitude: 60K feet
Cruise spped (nominal): N/A*
Cruise speed (long range): N/A*

*Current issues with development stem from engine problems, no data available

Engines: Pratt & Whitney F135 Single turbfan
Avionics package: CATbird (AN/PG-81 AESA-radar, EOTS)
Weight: 29,300 lbs empty, 70,000 lbs max
Payload capacity: 18,000 lbs
Fuel volume: 18,480 lbs

Armements: 2 internal modular weapon bays, 4 underwing hardpoints, 2 near wingtip hardpoints, capabilities of mounting AIM-120 AMRAAM BVR AAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, AIM-132 ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missiles , Storm Shadow cruise missile, AGM-158 Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missile (JASSM) cruise missile, and guided bombs.




All in all, you have what was considered a transitional generation fighter turning out to be an airforce staple, and a masterpiece of mankinds ingenuity that turned out to be the proverbial wings of Icarus. In my opinion, as great of an idea as the F35 may be, it seems the F/A18 is the better option for now. The F35 seemed like it tried going to far ahead of it's time without realize it was already years behind. Some military experts say we'll see mass produced low-orbit military craft before the F35 program is ready.