I've posted on this situation with both sources and "my humble opinion" as not necessarily towards the USMC and USAF directly but, the measures required by these branches of the military to maintain they're respective air fleets due to the various delays and cost overruns of the
F-35. These issues are exasperated due to not being able to retire platforms, having to maintain those same platforms, training costs for pilots, maintenance crews and beyond maintenance issues the modernization of some of these same platforms. And maybe lives.
For instance, there would be no
F/A-18 E/F "SUPER HORNET" series if not for the delay of the
F-35C. In fact the USN is forced into buying more "SUPER HORNETS" as noted below. The UK might've rethought their position on at least selling their
GR.7/9 HARRIERS to the USMC for their use as spares for the AV-8B II
PLUS HARRIERS had they known 1) These delays would be ongoing and 2) They were stuck in having to proceed in completing both
QUEEN ELIZABETH Class carriers which was not known at the time they retired their HARRIERS.
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...-flying-02816/
The planes that have truly benefited from this come from the USAF. In the
shorter term that would be the
A-10 with (They also brought some out of the boneyard as well due to OP TEMPO.) refurbished airframes and upgraded electronics suite to enhance both offensive and defensive capabilities.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/n...grades-4928602
In the
medium term the
F-16 later current versions have seen extensive and ongoing life extension programs to cover all noted for the A-10 and beyond. The
long term winner I think some of you have figured out, of course, is the
F-22 it has everything done as already mentioned and so much more especially related to the "complete package" directly related to the development of the F-35 program. It'll be flying to at least
~2040.
So back to the CORPS problem, of keeping flying and maintaining OP TEMPO and spending money that could have an impact on either their land programs or long term F-35B buys depending on how long these delays keep going on. Here's your story...
http://breakingdefense.com/2016/03/m...how-bad-is-it/
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/stor...ower/81974498/
https://news.usni.org/2016/05/26/nav...surge-air-wing
http://www.janes.com/article/61166/u...capability-gap
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-ne...s-marine-corps
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/mar...id=mailsignout
Economics will always drive military decisions whether in terms of money or, in our world slots.
Some of these planes will yet to be presented for inclusion here.
Regards,
Pat
