ORAC - "But will we often operate in a theatre where external weapons can't be carried?"
Errm - in that case, why buy F-35 in the first place? Particularly after it became clear (2003 or earlier) that the JSF-carrier was going to be Forrestal-sized and quite large enough for cats and traps?
Engines - Is it not also the case that the original overall length was constrained by the Invincible elevator? Or is there another reason why the jet is nine feet shorter than a Shornet?