KenV,
building a fighter aircraft without KPPing flight performance is essentially a 'carta-blanco' contract and we know what that is (a communism, in case you've been wondering).
Also, not that long ago we had Flynn (and not only him) in front of LM, making some pretty bold claims regarding F35's performance, which have now been shown fake.
Then there's the issue of pre-Bogdan program management and spending, where trucks of money delivered next to none results.
Etc, etc...
So, considering all, I think the LM managed to develop a substantial animosity with their 'everything is fine'
PR policy, where a more measured and cautious approach would yield a milder public response and perhaps a degree of sympathy from a wider audience than just hard-core fans.
Originally Posted by LO
However, it's not how the aircraft has been sold.
Which exactly is the issue, since LM changes stories like a kid caught stealing jam in the store, as the test results keep coming in.