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F-35B/C Lightning II (Joint Strike Fighter)
- Thread starter jai5w4
- Start date
2sr2worry
Naval Aviation=world's greatest team sport
First F-35C rolls out on Tuesday
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2009/07/20/daily37.html
This event will dial up the heat on the buy/don't buy more Super Hornets discussion.
I had heard the roll-out was originally scheduled for August, but I'm not surprised the LM folks accelerated the date to precede the summer budget lock-downs. The fighter business is full of sharp elbows in the paint.
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2009/07/20/daily37.html
This event will dial up the heat on the buy/don't buy more Super Hornets discussion.
I had heard the roll-out was originally scheduled for August, but I'm not surprised the LM folks accelerated the date to precede the summer budget lock-downs. The fighter business is full of sharp elbows in the paint.
What does that even mean?
And who wants to make a bet that we DON'T see 680 copies of Bs/Cs before the order gets chopped by Congress?
My guess is unless we make it unavoidably clear that the Cs are going to eventually replace the entire Hornet fleet (which has already been discussed before Senate Armed Services, correct?), we won't see 680 F-35s. Half that would be my WAG.
I know that Defense is one of the largest gov't expenditures, and that the current POTUS/SECDEF duo is very rosy on the Navy/Marine Corps, but still...there's just not enough money to toss around for 680 $60mil jets.
That's $40.8 billion total, by the way. In 2002 dollars.
phrogpilot73
Well-Known Member
Huh? The C model is the replacement for the F/A-18C & D that the Marine Corps flies, as well as the AV-8B. The B is the model that the Navy's going to fly. Buying more Super Hornets would have to do with the B model, since the Marine Corps is not buying any E/F Hornets.
I think you have them reversed...Charlies are the carrier models that the Navy will be using. (C for carrier, I'm guessing) The Bravos are slated to replace the Marine Corps F/A-18Cs and Ds.
The Alphas are going to the Air Force.
2sr2worry
Naval Aviation=world's greatest team sport
F-35A: Air Force CTOL replacing F-16, A-10, F-15
F-35B: USMC STOVL replacing AV-8B and F/A-18A+/C/D
F-35C: USN CV variant replacing F/A-18C
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/f35/f-35-variants/index.html
phrogpilot73
Well-Known Member
Yup - you are correct. I was brain farting (I blame it on a lack of coffee and a cursory glance). Disregard my entire post.
CWJones411
IRR
Will the F-35B replace both the Harrier and Hornet? Which will go first?
phrogpilot73
Well-Known Member
Yes it will. Not as easy to read as the MV-22 transition, but if you dig into the FY09 Marine Aviation plan, you'll see that they'll be simultaneously be transitioning D's and AV-8s, then moving onto C's.
I hope they come out with a 2 seat variant...
F-35 Squadrons
Don't quote me on this, but I do believe the first squadrons that will be getting the F-35 for the corps will be stationed in Yuma. As I know it right now VMFA-332 "Moonlighters" will be the first F-35B squadron, then VMFA-112 at some later time. They have been putting the projected F-35 squadrons into 'cadre' status to be reactivated in the future once the planes get here. Cherry Point won't be getting them until 2016, Miramar before them, and Yuma first. This was all in an article in Naval Aviation magazine and 'Approach' magazine as well.
Don't quote me on this, but I do believe the first squadrons that will be getting the F-35 for the corps will be stationed in Yuma. As I know it right now VMFA-332 "Moonlighters" will be the first F-35B squadron, then VMFA-112 at some later time. They have been putting the projected F-35 squadrons into 'cadre' status to be reactivated in the future once the planes get here. Cherry Point won't be getting them until 2016, Miramar before them, and Yuma first. This was all in an article in Naval Aviation magazine and 'Approach' magazine as well.
That seems strange...why wouldn't they transition the Cs first along with the AV-8s? Aren't they older (or at least less advanced)? I'd expect the Marines to want to get rid of the older variants first...
phrogpilot73
Well-Known Member
I would guess it's because the D's don't go to the boat, and it would prevent having to double pump guys that are eligible to go to the boat to meet deployment requirements.