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One huge advantage is in reduced radar cross-section. I would also think the amount of drag of this approach is about the same, or perhaps a bit less. There's several different kinds of drag, broadly divided into induced drag (a by-product of generating lift) and parasitic drag, which comes in skin friction, form, and interference flavors. Induced drag decreases with airspeed, but parasitic drag increases. Not having a big-ass vertical stabilizer recduces not only form drag and skin-friction drag, but also vastly reduces radar cross-section, contributing to low-observability or "stealthiness". Good thing for a combat aircraft. And given how much thrust is available, the drag that's generated when the control surfaces are used isn't all that big a deal. When they're *not* sticking out much (most of the time) it doesn't matter at all. And sometimes you *want* drag...look at that huge spoiler doojies on the F-14 and -15, ferinstance. Remeber Maverick's trick manuever in "Top Gun"? Quote:
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