These aren't the first ones that have been shot down by the russians. They've been many others.
In the last 25 years, Russia focused their weapon systems into defeating the american ones. They have very modern missiles AND anti-missile & AA defense.
In the last 25 years, American weapon manufacturers focused on...their top & bottom line. Expensive stuff that doesn't work, can't last in a protracted conflict, is old (old technology), and we can't even make enough of them. But look at lockheed's stock price.
Also, fighting glorified police operations (iraq, afghanistan) is not a way to keep up with the other nuclear superpowers.
Why is that a surprise?
These aren't the first ones that have been shot down by the russians. They've been many others.
In the last 25 years, Russia focused their weapon systems into defeating the american ones. They have very modern missiles AND anti-missile & AA defense.
In the last 25 years, American weapon manufacturers focused on...their top & bottom line. Expensive stuff that doesn't work, can't last in a protracted conflict, is old (old technology), and we can't even make enough of them. But look at lockheed's stock price.
Also, fighting glorified police operations (iraq, afghanistan) is not a way to keep up with the other nuclear superpowers.