Last week the United States Marine Corps the last F/A-18 carrier-based aircraft squadron, VMFA-323 completed a 10-month deployment aboard the USS Nimitz and returned to California station. The U.S. Marine Corps subsequently issued a press release stating that this would be the last deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 carrier-based aircraft.
Unlike other countries, in addition to amphibious warfare units, the U.S. Marine Corps also has an independent carrier-based aircraft unit. In the past, it was even equipped with heavy armored vehicles including M1 tank units. From an organizational structure point of view, it is more like a smaller version of the US military.
Among them, the carrier-based aircraft force mainly relies on the US Navy's aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships for deployment. Over the past three decades, the Marine Corps' Hornets have deployed more than 35,000 flight hours, conducted 14,000 combat missions, delivered a total of 250,000 munitions of various types, and provided support services to 17 U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. .
However, compared with the models used by the US Navy, the models of Marine Corps carrier-based aircraft are older. Previously, all the early F/A-18C/D models were used, and were not equipped with the latest F/A-18E/F model " Super Hornet ". During the last deployment of VMFA-323 squadron, Rear Adm. James Kirk, commander of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier battle group, also praised the Marine Corps for completing its mission despite flying the oldest carrier-based aircraft.
Next, the US Marine Corps carrier-based aircraft force will transition to the F-35 stealth fighter. Currently, many squadrons have equipped and deployed this carrier-based aircraft. In addition to the F-35B that can vertically land on an amphibious assault ship, the U.S. Marine Corps also wants to purchase the F-35C that can catapult from an aircraft carrier. Its role is the same as the previous F-18, which can support the U.S. Navy when its strength is insufficient.
F-35C
According to the announced procurement plan, the US Marine Corps will purchase 353 F-35Bs and 67 F-35Cs, bringing the total to 420 aircraft. Even the U.S. Navy only plans to purchase 273 F-35Cs. This means that the number of fifth-generation aircraft equipped by the U.S. Marine Corps in the future is second only to the U.S. Air Force, and even more than the number of fifth-generation fighters in most countries. Want more.
This article is an original article by Deep Blue Ship News. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited
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