‘Lightning Carrier’ Concept Shows How Navy, Marine Corps Can Fly More F-35Bs from Amphibs
The USS Tripoli had 20 of the fifth-generation aircraft on board conducting flight operations during a recent demonstration.
CAITLIN M. KENNEY | APRIL 12, 2022
NAVY MARINE CORPS
The Navy and Marine Corps recently proved they can operate an amphibious assault carrier as if it were a fixed-wing aircraft carrier, which officials said will give them more options for how to use these ships in the future.
The naval services fully exercised the Marine Corps’ “lightning carrier” concept for the first time with a record 20 F-35B Lightning IIs operating from the USS Tripoli off the California coast between March 30 and April 8, according to a Marine Corps release Monday. Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger mentioned the concept in his 2019 planning guidance.
The demonstration showed the services can operate amphibious assault carriers with fifth-generation aircraft, like a smaller aircraft carrier, if needed. The exercise had the 20 aircraft operating at a high tempo, the release said. These amphibious assault carriers normally carry a mix of rotary wing aircraft like the MV-22B Osprey helicopters and some F-35Bs, along with several hundred Marines that respond to combat or humanitarian operations as part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit.
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2022/04/lightning-carrier-concept-shows-how-navy-marine-corps-can-fly-more-f-35bs-amphibs/365563/
