I don't mean to poke my nose into a conversation where I have no credentials... and this is just an outsider observation:
Our primary focus is non-state groups like various terrorist and insurgents. Our military has put a lot of attention (and rightly so) into that particular threat (i.e. UAV). There is, however, states with growing power. The African Union, headed by Muammar Kadhafi... and Mr. Putin of Russia who has enormous support of the Russian people. These states growing combined with a growing demand for oil, etc.... could possibly summon the need for semi-conventional war-fighting aircraft. I would suspect that insurgency will dwindle down as larger states come to power (i.e. kind of an inverse of Iraq).
I personally think the JSF is not exactly the best designed fighter, however the lower cost per unit will hopefully weigh against the quantity threat of these states coming to power. Just from a tactical perspective... wouldn't it seem like UAVs right now wouldn't last long against a well designed semi-modern air defense net from a larger state?