3 ms·

I feel that the f-35 was a great plane to start with but ruined by adding a VTOL capabilities for the Marines. Why the hell does Marines Corp need fighter jets?

I feel that the f-35 was a great plane to start with but ruined by adding a VTOL capabilities for the Marines. Why the hell does Marines Corp need fighter jets? Doesn't the Navy already have it? Doesn't the Air Force? Does this mean the Army will get it's own fighter jets? I don't understand why every branch of the military in the US needs a jet apart from Navy and Air

redthrowaway 11y ago
Marines operate amphibious assault ships. They're currently equipped with Harriers. Those need replacing.
bkohlmann 11y ago
Much of this is rooted in history - namely Guadalcanal. The USMC was very angry at Naval Aviation for "abandoning" them on the beaches without Close Air Support while the Navy instead flew missions to protect their Fleet. The USMC demanded an increased in their organic capabilities to support THEIR mission -- boots on the ground.
headcanon 11y ago
From my understanding, Marine air capabilities are typically for supporting marines on the ground. If a bunch of marines engaged in combat need air support NOW, its a lot more efficient for them (meaning, fewer jumps in the chain of command) to have their own planes than for them to have to call up the Navy and ask them to do it.