>>135303
Imo, I think it's simply a series of increasingly convergent evolutions. Given a set of constraints (maximize fuel efficiency, FAA won't allow you go past mach 1, incredibly diminished returns on R&D investment due to mature tech, the cruel apathy of physics, etc.), it's natural to see competing designs become more and more similar as different engineers find the single best solution to similar problems.

I'm a tank guy, and we face a similar phenomenon where modern tanks are all beginning to all look the same. It's a little sad compared to the wild diversity of the early-mid 1900s, but tech & material science has finally caught up to the point where the local maxima is attainable. And the local maxima, by definition, has a singular peak. In a way, similar to the human face, there's a certain beauty in observing and noticing the more subtle features. Because engineers have gotten so close to "perfection", differences and deviations are often done with nuanced intention, and there's another certain beauty understanding that intention.

Fun fact, M1A2 SEPv3 (among other things) included the Trophy active protection system. This system is mounted on the turret and weighs around 1.5 tons. However, because the turret must be balanced to rotate quickly and efficiently, there's a 1.5 ton counterweight on the other side.