Very impressive, yes, but not new for us:

As of now, the F-35As at Eglin Air Force can do little more than burn non-supersonic holes in the sky, using only gentle stick maneuvers and hardly any of the F-35′s highly-complex electronics.

Perhaps the biggest horror story is the poor showing of the Lockheed plane’s complicated, expensive helmet-mounted display system that distorts and obscures – rather than enhancing — the pilot’s vision and awareness of the outside world.

That, along with the poor design of the ejection-seat headrest and limited visibility outside the cockpit, gave rise to that pilot’s warning that the F-35A can easily be “gunned” from the rear in visual range air-to-air combat — the type that historically has dominated fighter encounters.
Read more: http://nation.time.com/2013/03/06/more-f-35-turbulence/#ixzz2MmmA5yeo

Engine crack that grounded F-35 traced to thermal creep (Flight Global)

Jet Fighter Influence: How Lockheed’s Public Relations Efforts Keep the F-35 Sold (Offiziere)

Retrofits to add $1.7 billion to cost of F-35 - GAO report (Reuters)

USAF testers prepare for F-35 operational evaluation (Flight Global)

Latest GAO report, 11 March 2013:

 

Current Outlook Is Improved, but Long-Term Affordability Is a Major Concern (pdf)

F-35 Chief Considers $80M-90M Unit Cost Possible (Aviation Week)

In one of recent reports, the price of brand-new F-15 are about 110 M unit cost, perhaps F-35 is a little more affordable ...

In one of recent reports, the price of brand-new F-15 are about 110 M unit cost, perhaps F-35 is a little more affordable ...

 

Even if they could bring it down to $90m in the later LRIP batches, and that's a big "if", I would still be leery of operations and maintenance costs in the long term. We've seen that from previous low observable types.

Asia's F-35 Buyers Forced To Wait As China Seeks Edge (Aviation Week/Reuters)

More market for Rafale, Typhoon, F-16 and Super Hornet?

Former USN chief suggests DOD should cancel F-35A in favour of C-model (Flight Global)

The official says he has personally talked to the individual at CAPE who would be tasked with such an analysis and the person in question assures him no such work is under way. (emphasis added)

 

Call me cynical, but I think this means one of two things;

 

1) The work has already been done.

2) He plans to start next week/month.

Whithout internal gun??????

Dutch Consensus Building on Acquisition of 30-36 F-35 Fighters (Defense Aerospace)