Marines: USMC Revises Island War Doctrine
March 20, 2025: The U.S. Marine Corps is making several changes to its F-35 force. The number of carrier based catapult launched F-35C carrier based aircraft is being increased from 67 to 140. At the same time the number of vertical-takeoff F-35Bs are being reduced from 353 to 280. Squadrons will increase from 10 to 12 aircraft each. The larger squadrons will get two more pilots and an additional 24 aircraft maintainers. Marine aircraft will use Small Diameter bombs and the AGM-158 anti-ship missile. There will also be upgrades to the bomb carrying equipment on these aircraft.
The F-35 is a 31-ton single engine, single-seat aircraft that entered service in different versions between 2015 and 2019. The first F-35s were built in 2006 for development purposes. The aircraft has stealth characteristics and is equipped with all the most modern aircraft electronics or avionics, sensors and capabilities. The F-35 has a max range of 2,800 kilometers for repositioning missions to a different country. For destinations more than 2,500 kilometers distant, the F-35 must land for refueling along the way. Combat range for ground attack missions is 1,2oo kilometers while carrying eight tons of missiles and bombs. Combat range for combat with other aircraft is 1,400 kilometers. The F-35 can carry 2,600 kg of weapons internally and 6,800 kg externally. Max speed is Mach 1.6 and max altitude is 15,000 meters. The F-35B is a Short Takeoff and Landing or STOVAL version that carries a third less fuel because of the STOVAL modifications. There is an F-35C aircraft carrier version that is like the F-35A but equipped with a tail hook and more rugged landing gear. The wings have larger control surfaces, and the outer portions of the wing can be folded so the aircraft takes up less space on the hanger deck.
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