LO,
I'm on your page, the sequester looks more and more likely to swing into action, especially if Obama wins; in which case, the B is history and the C will, in my opinion, be lucky to enter service within the next decade. I just don't get the impression that 8 weeks will be enough for the US government to come to an agreement that doesn't involve further defence cuts - the democrats don't seem to be all that bothered by the prospect of deeper defence cuts and the republicans are completely rigid in their opposition to any tax rises.
The F35 is an almighty target.
I wonder, if the sequester does take effect, will the US compensate a B/C unavailability with a rock-bottom deal for one of their chopped carrier air wing's aircraft...like a harrier deal in reverse?