We met with some o-5/6's today from the Pentagon. We were informed that yes, costs have increased, but not nearly to the scale that WSJ is reporting. It's readily apparent that JSF is the future, period. The marines aren't planning to buy C's right now. However, DCA is onboard with the idea of TAI...we just have to prove to the Navy (again) that VSTOL can operate effectively off the CVN. I think it has more to do with convincing Congress big Navy needs more CVNs. If they convince USMC that we HAVE to buy C's to operate from the carrier, then they get more budget for boats. Knowing what I know now, the Navy needs lots more boats...so this isn't a terrible idea.
I read the testimonies earlier today and I'd say the costs are pretty much that high. CAPE director Mrs Fox quoted a price ranging between 80-95 million. Pretty much doubled. GAO said about 113 million is their take. Interesting Q&A sessions, I can't access it from home but this link may help.
http://armed-services.senate.gov/e_witnesslist.cfm?id=4383#witness
The numbers acquired already dropped some time ago by about 400 to around 2443. Fox quoted previous air programs where the costs escalated and the numbers acquired went down, saying the programs were successfull. She got called on that I think by Levin that she would consider such an occurence a success. She did a little backtracking, similar to that being currently done by Ash Carter (Acquisition head) regarding his earlier statement that Lockheed underbid the contract to win it then costs are now skyrocketing.
It seems like DOD "seems" to have a handle on the the issues and they have a plan to combat them. Costs will definitely go up. but theres no way that the JSF will become the "affordable" little "sister" to the High End F-22, a fighter with a flyaway cost of around 150 mil as of 09.