I know that is the rationale for USMC CAS but I just wonder if the cost of acquiring and flying a STOVL aircraft just for that very specific requirement is just

I know that is the rationale for USMC CAS but I just wonder if the cost of acquiring and flying a STOVL aircraft just for that very specific requirement is justified. In the case of the JSF program, maybe if that requirement had gotten split off from the rest of the program it could've been done for a cheaper price that would make it worthwhile. But the costs of the F-35 are still not done soaring out of control and at the end of it all I can't imagine that it will be worth the cost for the Marine Corps to have air cover during amphibious landings.