With regard to the WiG reference, I should state that the Boeing design is different then the majority of Russian WiG designs, with the possible exception of the early Bartini design. The Boeing design can also fly up to 20000 ft in altitude for when it would need to fly over land and also considering that the Boeing design only operates from land; i.e. it is not amphibious.
Of course, it doesn't necessarily mean we are going to catch up when you consider all of the WiG vehicle designs we saw from the U.S. that never came to fruition during the late 70's and early 80's. At least, not any that we have been told about.
