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Accession Number:
ADA505265
Title:
Should the Marine Corps Purchase an All-STOVL Fleet of Joint Strike Fighters?
Descriptive Note:
Research paper
Corporate Author:
MARINE CORPS COMMAND AND STAFF COLL QUANTICO VA
Report Date:
2005-02-08
Pagination or Media Count:
13.0
Abstract:
There is an old adage that warns, Dont 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-OffVertical 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 FA-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 FA-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.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
