And in the meantime you have the USAF "Incredible Shrinking Fighter Force". For all the denials, the cuts are coming, and the spiral becoming recognisable - again.....
US Air Force Cuts Five F-35 Fighter Jets From Budget Request
GOOD! Keep in mind, it isn't a fighter, just an attack aircraft, it was
never intended to be a fighter. They should cut 25 and fix what they already have on hand rather than assembling more sub-par aircraft, all of which will require multiple modifications. I am sure the JPO will rephrase "required modifications" to "highly improved enhancements".
