I think you're missing the mark with F-20 Tigershark. The development was started under one political mindset and that mindset was blown away by Reagan. It does

I think you're missing the mark with F-20 Tigershark. The development was started under one political mindset and that mindset was blown away by Reagan. It doesn't make sense to develop an export aircraft when there are existing aircraft with superior capabilities suddenly available for export. There is a point to be made: aircraft are chosen for political reasons, not for their suitably to the mission. The A-10 is an example of an exceptionally suitable aircraft as is the B-52. This is not a reflection of good decision making, but just the outcome of random selection. If you build enough boondoogles (i.e. JSF) you eventually accidentally build a useful aircraft. These aircraft prove their utility and are kept around whereas the glass elephants are quietly retired. For example, consider the B-58. By all measures it was an amazing aircraft that met all of its goals. But by the time it was complete, it was built for a mission that no longer existed. The aircraft literally had no role by the time it became operational.