F-35 suddenly gets cheaper

This is one year in the mood of senior Department of Defense officials on the subject of the Lockheed Martin F-35 program.

• Aug 31, 2009: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates travels to F-35 final assembly plant in Fort Worth, Texas, says he is "especially excited that things seem to be on schedule".
• Feb 1, 2010: Gates fires F-35's government program manager, withholds $614 million from Lockheed Martin, says performance "has not been what it should", amidst new schedule delays and cost overruns.
• Sept 8, 2010: Frank Kendall (see annoyingly long title) tells audience this morning that Lockheed is now on track to make the F-35 cheaper, possibly soon knocking as much as 6.25% off the cost of the average jet.

I think it may be time for an intervention. In fact, I recognize all seven signs of an unhealthy relationship. Please, get help.