Should the Marine Corps Purchase an All-STOVL Fleet of Joint Strike Fighters?
Abstract
There is an old adage that warns, "Don't put all your eggs into one basket." However, the Marine Corps has placed the entire future of its tactical aviation (TacAir) fleet on one platform: the Short Take-Off/Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The Joint Strike Fighter is a multi-role, stealth aircraft which will be sold as three distinct variants: the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant for the Air Force, the carrier variant (CV) for the Navy, and the STOVL variant for the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps has cited the combination of "the basing flexibility of the AV-8B with the multi-role capabilities, speed, and maneuverability of the F/A-18" as its reason for purchasing only the STOVL variant of the JSF. The F-35B, as it will be designated, will replace the aging fleets of AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets, giving the Marine Corps a flexible platform that can deploy with the Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) or Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and operate out of austere air bases near the front lines. Despite the capabilities of the STOVL variant, the Marine Corps should purchase a mixed fleet of STOVL and CV JSFs to replace its legacy aircraft because of the development problems facing the STOVL variant, the demands of TacAir integration, and the increased capabilities of the CV JSF.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA505265
Entities
People
- W. Sheridan
Organizations
- Marine Corps University