Riddle me this:
I would have derived as an advanced and refined variant of a very original design and concept, which had a troublesome development time in terms of the services I was intended to serve, the politician's that decreed me, and the organisation that would design and build me.
I would have theoretically been cost effective, compared to my principle successor, as I was based on the modification of an existing built and operational aircraft!
With this modification, I would gain:
- length,
- weight,
- critically increase in range and weapons load,
- a new and more powerful and fuel efficient powerplant, which ironically, was designed to power the design, which would course my demise.
If I had of been built and put into operational service, ironically, I would have achieved the originally intended requirements, that my parent service intended!
My phonetic designation of the letter between 'G' and 'I' ialone would have distinctively separated my role and size from my brethren.
Sadly, if I had been approved by my service and political masters, I would have entered operational service in 1981-1984 time frame, at a forecast cost of at least $7 billion
Who or what would I have been?
M.A.D