I doubt the USN can afford another trip down the A12 route..........
If you look at what a USN CAG can do now, compared to (say) 15 years ago, it's a much reduced beast.
No real long endurance interceptor / OCA asset
No real high payload all-weather strike aircraft
No ASuW / ASW patrol capability
No sigint/land surveillance capability
No organic tanker (with anything like a credible offload capacity)
Yes, the CAG is down to 3-4 types compared to 7-8, but not as a planned or even desired event. Yes, the advent of PGM does to some degree reduce the need for higher payload (although note the Bone & Strike Eagle play well at CAS because of their payload). But overall, it's a lighter-punching more fragile beast.
Most of that force contraction can be laid at the vast amount of money spunked at the A12, without a viable plan B. We can also bemoan the fact that Dave is now an uber-expensive superweapon compared to the original SSF concept.
Nevertheless, lose Dave C and the USN has nothing to bring to the party on the first day vs double-digit SAM and a half-decent IADS.
The Rhino is not a viable plan B for the USN........