Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

Karagin · #1 March 6th, 2021, 11:50 PM

https://www.popularmechanics.com/mil...ially-retired/

Seems the F-18 has made its final flight with the US Navy/Marines as of the 25 of Feb 2021.

Suhiir · #2 March 7th, 2021, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karagin

https://www.popularmechanics.com/mil...ially-retired/

Seems the F-18 has made its final flight with the US Navy/Marines as of the 25 of Feb 2021.

Doubtful.

Last I heard the US Navy planned to keep it's F/A-18Es and Fs for their Air Superiority role. Something the F-35 isn't terribly well suited for. Contrary to what many idiots claim the F-35 was never intended or designed as an air superiority platform.

The USMC does plan to get rid of it's F-18s as they expect the US Navy (and possibly USAF) to handle air superiority. Their aircraft are ground support assets.

FASTBOAT TOUGH · #3 March 7th, 2021, 02:31 AM

That is the plan. The USN has and will be receiving "new build" F/A-18E/F HORNETS for the air superiority role as my Marine "buddy" has pointed out.

As it currently stands, VMFA-533 Beaufort, S.C. is planned to be the first USMC air unit to reach FOC with their F-35B jets in the last quarter of FY 2025 (JUL-SEP 2025) providing there's no "hiccups" for any one.

And that's straight from the USMC.

So here's a recent "hiccup" for all three services...

"February 17/21: Engine Shortage F-35 fighter plane engines are in short supply external link, with the solution months away, causing the Defense Department to reduce its schedule of exhibition flights and to start planning for a shortage as soon as 2022. The Defense Department’s F-35 office has advised that about five to six percent of the US. F-35 fleet could be without useable engines by 2022, and up to 20 percent of the plane’s fleet could be sidelined by 2025. According to Defense News external link, the F-35 Heavy Maintenance Center, located at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, has been unable to process engines for repairs and maintenance, and catching up will take months."
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...m-edit-037947/

I couldn't make this up if I tried.

Regards,
Pat