Note: USNI News had this first.
Read the plan and weep for the ground side.
They call it the Marine Aviation Plan? It should be called Ground Combat Element, you're screwed letter.
If this goes forward we won't be able to buy an AAV replacement until 2050. Everyone likes to believe the lies that the F-35 isn't responsible for the procurement trainwreck. This document proves otherwise. The Marine Corps is getting butt fucked by that abomination of an airplane.
Everything must die so that the F-35 can live.
Well, the US Marines can always import AAV substitutes. I know Mitsubishi is building one with private funding with the hopes that Abe administration would place a larger order, and Korea too would surely build a new one when the time comes as the ROKMC is complaining that the KAAV-7's upgraded armor isn't enough for modern landing operations and they want a K-21 level armor protection in the next landing vehicle.
ReplyDeletePerhaps just rename the organization and call it the F-35 Corps??
ReplyDelete10 flying hours per month for an F-35 pilot. That is not combat ready. That is not safe.
ReplyDeleteBlue vs. Green dollars is an organizational construct. If the Marines want more Green dollars, then they request it in their budget, with the complete understanding that Congress would adjust the Navy's Blue dollars allocated towords Marine Corps aircraft to net the same top line.
ReplyDeleteDamn, the F-35C make the first successful landing on the Nimitz.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping it would fail, but too bad.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/03/lockheed-martin-fighter-idUSL1N0ST2RE20141103
UPDATE 1-Lockheed F-35 fighter jet lands on U.S. aircraft carrier - spokesman
Nov 3 (Reuters) - The first of two Lockheed Martin Corp F-35C fighter jets landed successfully on the USS Nimitz off the coast of San Diego on Monday, marking the new warplane's first landing on an aircraft carrier using its tailhook system, the Pentagon said.