"Can we afford this aircraft, and how many can we procure at the price? "
At full production in 2018 it will cost less than an F-15E or F-18 and equivalent to a new F-16 Block D.
$84 mil per copy.
I question the numbers on the Super Hornet, not the decision. A few years ago when the Growler buy happened I went to a brief where they stated additional aircraft had pushed the line price on the Super down below $60 million.
The Navy needs both, but that number stuck out to me as being a bit high. I have been out the business for 5 years, though.