This strikes me as exactly the same kind of deliberate fear mongering as the missile gap, the bomber gap, and what if there's a bear in the woods?

That is, this fear mongering happens to keep DoD money flowing.

no chance of this, US is at least 1 generation ahead, and likely advancing further on engines and material sciences. Classic threat inflation, a primer for the budget request

i like this sort of informed critical response. good to see!