NaB,
Thanks very much.
May I elaborate on Point 4. The only reason that the F-35B exists in the first place is because of the Marines' political power, which stems from the fanatical loyalty to the Corps which they instil into every member of the service, and the leadership's willingness to shill for contractors as long as it suits their perceived needs, jointness be damned.
There is no Pentagon-wide strategic justification for investing that much money, and sacrificing a good deal of USAF/Navy capability, to get six short-range jets on to nine or ten decks (forget 11 - we are not there now, and will never be) with no tanker, AEW or EA support.
People who believe that the B will survive are either regurgitating the Marines' rubbish propaganda, or are simply running on the old DC logic that the "Lola of the services" will get what it wants anyway.
However - given the tenuous ability of the B to meet modest KPPs, the number of unsolved problems, the jet's real acquisition and operating cost and the budget crisis, Lola could be in for a reality check.
And, for a nation that has chained its naval air capability to the B (which the US has not), that is an unacceptable risk.
PS - The Marines' toxic lobbying and major acquisition are distinct from their character and ability as a fighting organization. For instance, their adoption of contractor-supported ScanEagles for ISR is one of the better mil-tech stories out there.