JSF costs are on a downward trend, and will continue that trend as production numbers increase[0]. For a financial breakdown of the projected costs of the program, see [1], [2](actual source for data in [0] and [1]).<p>And the program is very, very real. I am aware of other programs which really existed to funnel money to more secret programs, but the JSF program is not one of those front programs.<p>We don&#x27;t build more A-10s because they no longer meet the projected operational needs of the USAF, which, along with the rest of the military, is changing strategic focus to the Asia&#x2F;Pacific region. [3] Not to mention the production line is long since shutdown (32 years ago!) and the tooling either destroyed or lost. The knowledge to build them is lost. You do not simply build more. You have to teach yourself to build them again. This would take years.<p>[0]: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;i.imgur.com&#x2F;H5fTkIU.png" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;i.imgur.com&#x2F;H5fTkIU.png</a><p>[1]: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;i.imgur.com&#x2F;6cV6I7g.png" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;i.imgur.com&#x2F;6cV6I7g.png</a><p>[2]: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;breakingdefense.com&#x2F;wp-content&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;sites&#x2F;3&#x2F;2014&#x2F;04&#x2F;F-35-2013-SAR.pdf" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;breakingdefense.com&#x2F;wp-content&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;sites&#x2F;3&#x2F;2014&#x2F;0...</a> (The definitive source for F-35 cost data).<p>[3]: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.reddit.com&#x2F;r&#x2F;F35Lightning&#x2F;comments&#x2F;3a7yol&#x2F;article_f35_unscathed_by_hostile_fire_in_green&#x2F;csa3v76" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.reddit.com&#x2F;r&#x2F;F35Lightning&#x2F;comments&#x2F;3a7yol&#x2F;articl...</a> (full text of paywalled Aviation Week article)