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The oft-maligned F-35 program has run into another bit of turbulence. For years, Congress has authorized the Defense Department to purchase more F-35 Lightning II aircraft than the services had made budget requests for. But that largess appears to be coming to an end—just as the US Air Force starts to look for other ways to fill out its fighter squadrons.

In February, the Air Force lifted the curtains on plans to buy a brand-new aircraft to replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown said the service is looking at buying what he called a "clean sheet" fighter in 2023, using lessons learned from the efforts behind the recently acquired T-7A Red Hawk trainer. But that plan may have some difficulty taking flight because the Air Force was supposed to already have an F-16 replacement—the F-35A Lightning II.

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  Salahe Bembury is a footwear designer, with the Cole Haan Lunargrand among his credits. His virtual LZ-F Electrified interior uses a mix of natural materials, including granite for the steering wheel. [credit: Lexus ]

By their nature, car companies are rather conservative. Cars are expensive, after all, so there's an element of caution involved in such a large purchase. This explains why you see so many variations of silver exteriors and black interiors—safer for resale value that way. Which is why I'm so enamored with these concept interiors that Lexus has commissioned for its latest concept, the LZ-F Electrified.

The car company offered up the interior of the LZ-F Electrified as a canvas for footwear designer Salahe Bembury, artist Ondrej Zunka, and the leather crafters at Hender Scheme, each of whom came up with something radically different.

Bembury's take contrasts the advanced technology of an EV with plenty of natural materials. The seats are made of cork, with a rough suede on the seatbacks. The center console is made from cedar, and the steering wheel appears to be cut from granite.