The U.S. Marine Corps became the first military branch to reach initial operational capability (IOC) with the F-35B Lightning II fifth g...
The U.S. Marine Corps became the first military branch to reach initial operational capability (IOC) with the F-35B Lightning II fifth generation fighter aircraft, on July 31, 2015 with a squadron of 10 F-35Bs ready for world-wide deployment.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), based in Yuma, Arizona, became operational following a five-day rigorous Operational Readiness Inspection, which concluded July 17.
The F-35 will eventually replace three legacy platforms of Marine Corps, the AV-8B Harrier, the F/A-18 Hornet, and the EA-6B Prowler. It is the world's first supersonic short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) stealth aircraft in aviation history.
The fifth-generation fighter combines advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment.
Prior to declaring IOC, Marines conducted flight operations for seven weeks at sea aboard an L-Class carrier, participated in multiple large force exercises, and executed a recent operational evaluation which included multiple live ordnance sorties.
With its STOVL capability, the F-35 will enable Marine Corps to carry out true expeditionary operations from airstrips or sea-based carriers. It can also take off and land conventionally from longer runways on major bases.
The F-35B STOVL operation is made possible through the Rolls-Royce patented shaft-driven LiftFan® propulsion system and an engine that can swivel 90 degrees when in short takeoff/vertical landing mode. The three-bearing swivel nozzle that directs the full thrust of the engine is moved by a “fueldraulic” actuator using pressurized fuel.
Because of the LiftFan®, the STOVL variant has smaller internal weapon bay and less internal fuel capacity than the F-35A. It is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine rated at 125 kN thrust.
The U.S. Marine Corps has trained and qualified more than 50 Marine F-35B pilots and certified about 500 maintenance personnel to assume autonomous, organic-level maintenance support for the F-35B.
VMFA-121’s transition will be followed by Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211), an AV-8B squadron, which is scheduled to transition to the F-35B in fiscal year 2016. In 2018, VAM-311 will conduct its transition to the F-35B.
Three variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries.
The UMSC plans to purchase 340 F-35Bs. Italian Air Force, Royal Air Force will also operate the variant in future. The U.S Air Force variant, F-35A is targeting IOC in 2016, and US Navy variant, F-35C in 2018.
