nomorecatering.
Well your friends are certainly going out on a limb. The requirements from multiple nations, plus the fact there is no other Gen 5 fighter available let alone on the drawing boards says otherwise. I would bet a years wage it will go ahead. Have a look back at nearly ALL US fighter/bomber builds and show me the last one that went through without issues.
The JSF will indeed go ahead.
Cheers
Mr B.