WO - Classified or not, the fact remains that the JSF has set records for overruns in cost and time, still has no announced IOC (having passed its original IOC date), and is likely to become "operational" with lots of capability missing and unpaid-for. And it doesn't have the 'Phoon's excuse that the Germans spent four years trying to scrap it.
And do I buy the line that there are all kinds of miraculous capes on this thing that have not been disclosed? Not really. Why? Because that wasn't the goal at the start of JAST - the goal was stealth + everyday fighter missions at a low LCC.
And after 16 years of development and the thick end of $50 billion, asking to be "given a chance to become exceptional" is a bit cheeky. I'd respect those involved more if they conceded that they had presided over a monstrous FUBAR, and asked very nicely for a second chance.
And press releases will always be picked apart, as are the speeches of politicians, and for the same reason.