Re: F-35b
Am not convinced that the work required to bring an "A" model up to Naval "C" specs would cost an extra $15m a pop. Surely savings can be made from a common design and economies of scale. In terms of possible loss of export orders, surely the Italians, amongst others, would welcome a jet that could be slammed into the deck without damage. Personally I think that the bickering over the A/C debate is little more than interservice rivalry- the same reason why the USAF mandated all kinds of useless changes to the F-4 to produce the C/D models back in the day.
I also think the F-35 got short shrift this time around because the USAF fighter mafia wanted to make sure that their $400m turkey got green lighted.