The next question is the feasibility or otherwise of austere-base ops (1) with the F-35B as opposed to the much smaller Harrier and (2) with a changing threat.
Marines and industry say F-35B's ground impact will not cause problems, but the Corps has been seriously wrong in this respect with V-22. USN construction guidance still calls for a 100 x 100 foot VL pad made of heat-resistant, continuously reinforced concrete.
Also, the senior Dept of Navy leadership is worried about the threat to forward arming and refueling points posed by guided rockets and mortars, which they expect to be widely used by the late 2010s.