During the past month of January, the document titled Aviation Plan (AVPLAN) of the U.S. Marine Corps was published, detailing the institution’s new plans to reshape the composition of its fleet of stealth F-35 fighters for the future. As a major development, the USMC has announced plans to purchase additional aircraft in the F-35C variant, bringing the total number to 140 units, while reducing the number of F-35B fighters from 353 to 280 aircraft.
It is worth noting that the USMC’s decision aligns with new TACAIR requirements, as the institution considers that increasing the number of F-35C units will better support future U.S. Navy deployments. Specifically, in the scheme proposed by the AVPLAN report, four squadrons are detailed as being affected by the platform transition, namely: Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA), VMFA-323, VMFA-112, and VMFA-134.
It is also useful to mention that while the future composition of the USMC’s F-35 fleet has been modified, the total number of aircraft planned for acquisition remains unchanged; this means that the total number of B and C variants remains at 420 aircraft. By the end of the year, if the AVPLAN’s delivery schedule is maintained, the USMC expects to have received 183 F-35B fighters and 52 F-35C fighters, representing nearly half of the total ordered units.
Additionally, in line with changes in the composition of its squadrons, the USMC also announced through the report that a new structural model will be adopted for its units based on the approach previously implemented with those stationed at Iwakuni Base in Japan. Specifically, each VMFA is now planned to have 12 assigned aircraft initially, with a transition to this model starting in 2028 with the first personnel adjustments (adding 2 new pilots and 25 new maintenance technicians per squadron) and in 2030 for the actual increase in assigned F-35 aircraft.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the institution is also preparing to expand the arsenal available for its F-35s as the TR-3 update progresses. The main new weapons include the GBU-53/B SDB-II bombs (expected to reach initial operational capability in fiscal year 2025), AGM-88G AARGM-ER missiles, the AGM-158 family of weapons (JASSM-ER and LRASM), and AIM-9X Block II+ missiles. In addition to these new weapons, F-35C aircraft from Lot 15 onward also appear to be on track to receive the new Sidekick racks, also known as “Six-in-the-bay,” which will allow these stealth fighters to carry two additional missiles in their internal storage.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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Seems strange that the USMC would choose to buy planes that the USN has refused to buy due to their single engine that doesn’t meet carrier operations requirements rather then more of the only F35 variant that actually fills its intended role, but since when did any decision made by the military surrounding the F35 program make any sense to begin with?