I am not the boss of JHC, was drinking lager, have absolutely no knowledge of F1 let alone F-35.
But hullloooooooo I am sure that you recognise we as a nation are so broke that the politicians will take anything that can reduce the Defence bill. With a CNS that appears is more worried about things that float, a CGS allegedly more concerned about Regiments and Battalions that march, of course when it comes to the air, CAS and his team will be all over any organisation-things that fly and the air environment is his core business.
Dry your eyes Princesses, times are a changing and you can't keep up. I do not say this detracting from anyone's professional nature or any particular colour of cloth, but some people have not quite understood how broke we are and what radical activity needs to be done.
Something has to give and it looks as though both CGS and CNS and the politicians are all favouring CAS and the RAF in the current environment. There is a clue in the title.