This is from a reputable think tank in Washington, more than once they've prooven to be on the money, and Washington certainly listens when they advise it seems.
http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/...ineSharp_0.pdf
Recommendations for the US Air Force
Strike Aircraft: Due to strategic and cost concerns, the Air Force should reduce the number
of F-35As it plans to procure from 1,763 to 1.000-1.200 in part by reducing its inventory
requirements for trainer and Air National Guard aircraft.
The F-35 is highly expensive and lacks the longer range important in overcoming some A2/AD threats. In future combat scenarios, including high-end engagements against China or Iran, the U.S. military will not need a 100 percent stealthy manned fighter fleet. Instead, an aggregate capability joint mix of F-35s, F-22s, F/A-18s, F-16s, F-15s, B-52s, B-2s, B-1s, long-range strike bombers, cruise missiles, advanced ISR and UAS will provide sufficient options to conduct echeloned attack operations and succeed in any realistic configuration
of potential contingencies.
Furthermore, the opportunity cost of the F-35 is tremendous. The Air Force plan to purchase 1.763 F-35As has caused the service to defer investments that may lead to greater capabilities in the future.
.....
Recommendations for the Marines
The Marine Corps should reduce its fixed-wing aviation inventory and focus instead on STOVL F-35B strike fighters and a more select group of support aircraft. The Marine Corps
should eliminate its F-18C/D Hornet and EA-6B Prowler squadrons aboard Navy carriers, a major redundancy given that carrier-based strike fighter operations are a primary mission of Navy aviation.
.....
Recommendations for the US Navy
Strike Aircraft: The Navy should reduce its planned buy of 369 F-35Cs by 50 percent and
continue to procure additional F/A-18s after 2014, when the production line is scheduled to close, to make up some of its inventory requirements.
Due to its short range, the F-35C requires aircraft carriers to get dangerously close to enemy coasts or necessitates frequent aerial refueling. While external fuel tanks can extend the F-35C’s range, such tanks compromise its stealth and thereby sacrifice an essential attribute. By buying fewer F-35s more quickly, the Navy will revitalize its strike fleet sooner and free up resources it can use in the 2020s and 2030s to buy combat-capable UAS, which by then should be more technologically advanced if DOD accelerates development now.
All this would mean a reduction of no less than 800-900 F35's for the US alone.
One can only guess what that'll do to the price, it won't be good, that much is certain.