The U.S. Marine Corps’ latest Aviation Plan (AVPLAN) has outlined plans to double the planned inventory of 5th generation CATOBAR F-35C Lightning II fighters from 67 aircraft to 140 aircraft, a move done in support of Navy deployments and Marine Corps TACAIR global priorities. In return, the Corps has modified its acquisition objective for F-35B from 353 to 280.
The U.S. Marine Corps currently possesses 183 F-35B and 52 F-35C aircraft across two Fleet Replacement Squadron Detachments, Operational Test Squadrons, and eleven Fleet Squadrons. Moving forward, the planned inventory of 420 total F-35s remains unchanged, but the breakdown of F-35B and F-35C has changed to now support the eventual eight squadrons of F-35Cs operating 12 aircraft each.
According to the Aviation Plan, MCAS Iwakuni-based F-35 squadrons transitioned to a 12 Primary Aircraft Assigned (PAA) per squadron model in FY2024. Following review, that model will be rolled out to the entire fleet.
“After detailed analysis, a plan was approved to increase all fleet F-35 squadrons to 12 PAA. That increase is now reflected in the TACAIR Transition plan, and we will start implementing the manpower changes in FY28 and the aircraft increase in FY30.”
U.S. Marine Corps Aviation Plan, 2025
In support of this effort, squadrons across the Corps will undergo manpower changes for maintenance military occupational specialties (MOS). Squadrons will add two pilots and 25 maintenance specialists focused on corrosion control. Following the completion of manpower changes, squadrons will transition to the 12 PAA per squadron model.
Weapons aboard the F-35 fleet are also set to expand with the addition of GBU-53/B SDB-II, the AGM-158 series of weapons, and the Sidekick weapon rack, known in the Marine Corps as “six-in-the-bay”, which will provide two additional internally stored AIM-120 AMRAAMs for F-35Cs.
GBU-53 is set to reach Early Operational Capability (EOC) in FY2025. It will be the first net enabled weapon fielded on the F-35B/C with eight bombs stored internally. AGM-158C LRASM C-1 is set to reach EOC in FY2026 with four missiles stored externally. Additional weapons like AGM-88G AARGM-ER are continuing integration efforts both externally and internally on the F-35B and F-35C respectively.
The U.S. Marine Corps Aviation Plan offered no additional details for Sidekick, but previous plans were to incorporate the capability in Lot 15 F-35s and beyond. Lot 15 fighters began deliveries in late 2023 according to Defense News.
U.S. Marine Corps effort to meet the 12 PAAs requirement is set to complete by FY2035 with the final three squadrons, VMFA-312, VMFA-112, and VMFA-134, transitioning to the 12 PAA model that year.
