F-35B LIGHTNING II SEMPER FI

The JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) program is synonymous with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, which ultimately won the competition against Boeing and its X-32. The JSF plan was to have a similar new fighter for the U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy and U.S. allies: Build a bunch and keep the price tag down. It has been a success story since then.

- TED CARLSON/

The three primary F-35 models are the A, B, and C (Israel also has an “I” model). We will be focusing on the Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) B model, which is the Marine Corps primary variant. The Marines are also procuring some aircraft-carrier-capable C models, but these will be significantly fewer.

The Marines also currently operate the VTOL AV-8B Harrier II, but this successful icon of Marine Corps aviation is now in its golden years; relatively soon, the aging Jump Jet will be completely put out to pasture and stood down. So what’s the latest on the Semper Fi JSF? The Marines have been working diligently, now utilizing the F-35B Lightning II in action within theaters of operation. The program is a spiral development system, so aircraft upgrades and capabilities are ongoing as the F-35 matures and forges ahead to the right along the timeline. The F-35B has now seen combat in Afghanistan and has deployed on Marine Expeditionary Units aboard assault ships in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) scheme.

A Fully Fledged Weapons Delivery Platform

The typical new-aircraft teething process has pretty much ended now, and significant strides have been made in making the aircraft more reliable than ever. Although the F-35 had some delays and cost overruns, this fifth generation aircraft comes equipped with robust state-of-the-art capabilities and a plethora of bells and whistles that are typically omitted from various reports.