Lockheed adds $771 million to early F-35 production bills

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

Originally Posted by Vendor

As the F-35 continues to be developed even as the first production models are delivered, the $771 million bill also includes the cost of future modifications to make the aircraft standard with jets delivered after the development phase ends in 2016.

This is what I don't understand in this JSF/F-35 program. I have accustomed to system where you first design the product and then build it. Its hard for me to understand how you can make good product at reasonable cost when you are at same time both designing and building it?

BTW I was in understanding that F-35 was intended to start entering USAF service in 2015 am I correct?