By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pew PatriotsPew PatriotsPew Patriots
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Reading: What Marine Corps aviation has in store over the next five years
Share
Font ResizerAa
Pew PatriotsPew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
What Marine Corps aviation has in store over the next five years
Tactical

What Marine Corps aviation has in store over the next five years

Jimmie Dempsey
Last updated: April 9, 2025 3:46 pm
Jimmie Dempsey Published April 9, 2025
Share
SHARE

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – Over the next five years Marine aviators should see more F-35s, an upgraded MV-22 Osprey fleet, a larger fleet of cargo aircraft and data-enabled predictive aircraft maintenance.

That’s the vision Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering shared Tuesday at the Navy League’s annual Sea-Air-Space Exposition.

“So, what does modernization look like in the Marine Corps? It’s an all-fifth-gen tactical air force of F-35s augmented by collaborative combat aircraft,” Gering said. “It’s a full fleet of CH-53K helicopters for the heavy lift mission.”

Gering added that the MV-22 program will have finished its platform midlife upgrades over the remainder of the next five-year budget cycle.

RELATED

Also involved in the Corps’ aviation wing will be its drone fleet of MQ-9 Reapers, which are flying today. Those will eventually see major payload and sensor upgrades, Gering said.

On the larger side of the aviation equation, the Corps expects to complete purchasing of the 95 total KC-130J cargo planes it needs for its transport fleet.

Two training squadrons and nine operational squadrons are now flying the F-35 Lightning II jet, a fifth-generation fighter. Over the next five years the Corps will build another seven active duty squadrons, which will be supplemented by two Reserve squadrons.

At the end of the F-35 transition there will be 18 active squadrons, a dozen flying the F-35B and six flying the F-35C. The two Reserve squadrons will fly the C variant, which is built for aircraft carrier takeoff and landing. The B variant can conduct vertical takeoff and landing.

Gering said the Corps also wants to be able to maintain and close kill webs and all enemy air assets through an airborne command and control and an “aviation ground support structure that is scalable and can conduct expeditionary operations and work in a distributed aviation environment.”

In its aviation plan, released in January, the Corps provided more details on its airborne assets.

The Marines shifted their F-35 plans to buy more carrier-based F-35Cs and fewer short takeoff and vertical landing F-35Bs. The total number of Joint Strike Fighters the service plans to buy remains 420.

The Corps will eventually fly 280 F-35Bs and 140 F-35Cs, more than doubling the number of F-35Cs included in the 2022 plan, which called for 353 F-35Bs and 67 F-35Cs.

Todd South has written about crime, courts, government and the military for multiple publications since 2004 and was named a 2014 Pulitzer finalist for a co-written project on witness intimidation. Todd is a Marine veteran of the Iraq War.

Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

This sailor requested leave to get his wife pregnant. It was approved.

Marine retiree shares a warning about this Tricare payment problem

GOP lawmakers suggest DOD cut climate change initiatives from budget

VA dismisses over 1,000 employees as part of probationary worker purge

Air Force, Space Force hit recruiting goals months ahead of schedule

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Recommend
DOJ investigating Minnesota hiring practices in latest clash with Walz
News

DOJ investigating Minnesota hiring practices in latest clash with Walz

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 11, 2025
Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins reveals very relatable haircut experience with one exception
Why Is Every Natural Disaster Being Politicized?
Biden cover-up probe heats up as another ex-White House aide sits down with GOP
MSNBC’s Psaki struggles to fill Maddow’s lofty shoes, trails CNN in key demo through two months in new slot
Rifle Roundup: Franklin Armory Militia AR-10 With A Sightmark Wraith Mini 2-16×35 Thermal Scope
WWE star Drew McIntyre dishes on how he finally got his ‘bored at work’ shirt made
News

WWE star Drew McIntyre dishes on how he finally got his ‘bored at work’ shirt made

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 11, 2025
‘Golden Bachelor’ Mel Owens’ ex issues warning for ladies after he refuses to consider anyone over 60
News

‘Golden Bachelor’ Mel Owens’ ex issues warning for ladies after he refuses to consider anyone over 60

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 11, 2025
Native Hawaiian man could face longer prison sentence after conviction for hate crime against white man
News

Native Hawaiian man could face longer prison sentence after conviction for hate crime against white man

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 11, 2025
Pew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
  • Guns and Gear
2024 © Pew Patriots. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?