So I was looking at some additional pictures of C-2s and noticed that even though they have 4 vertical stabilizers, only 3 seem to have rudders. The port side inboard stabilizer is solid.

Satellites are more difficult to position than people think. The entire orbit has to be shifted for proper imagery, and there are not necessarily assets "near by" that can be quickly adjusted. I have no idea how often it becomes an issue that it will take x hours or days to get one into position, but they are still…

"I'm worried we'll end up with a plane that isn't good enough at either role, and has ended up more expensive than buying two different planes that would excel in each."

And the most 'modern' B-52 was build in 1962. Those are projected to fly for at least 15 more years (wiki even says into the 2040's) and get repeatedly upgraded by the AF. Not seeing your point.

It is not a 100% replica like the TU-4 that was discussed in the comments, but it shares some design traits that are clearly from the F-35 and on no other aircraft. Even the F-22 doesn't have diverterless intakes because it has taken so many years to develop them properly (I think Tyler wrote an article on that a…

They're Spanish (good eyes keris90). I noticed the uniform first, thought it was Multicam Arid, but then found the Spanish desert digital pattern: