[Ras_]

F-35 is the stealthy sensor platform that can go closer to identify and target. Unlike F-22 it does air to ground as well. It doesn't necessarily have to be the platform that does all the shooting. It can spot for non-stealthy planes further back, or for land/sea based platforms. Basically the killer app of F-35 is providing better situational awareness to the whole coalition force operating in the area. It's much more valuable as a force multiplier than on its own. Super Hornet and the rest of that generation can hold their own 1v1, but they don't provide a similar benefit to the rest of system. It remains to be seen whether F-35 makes even EW jets like Growler obsolete. I suspect that the added human workload part of EW (F-35 doesn't have two seaters) is harder to overcome than developing suitable pods.

They will be carrying cruise missiles too. Because $1m is quite a bit less than $100m (the plane).