The F-35 is planned to network MADL through satcom using MUOS. But that slipped to Block 4
Indeed. But a formation of F-35s does not need a satcom link to fight (and win) at all. The satcom link is only needed to get the data the F-35 generates and pipe it to the headquarters guys. If I were in that cockpit, I'd prefer to leave the headquarters guys in the dark until I had completed my mission, lest the desk jockeys be tempted to micro manage
my fight from afar.