The head of Marine Corps aviation predicted that the review of the F-35 ordered by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will likely end up validating the need for the fifth generation fighter.
Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, the Marine Corps deputy commandant for aviation, said his office is participating in the review ordered by Mattis that measures how an improved Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet matches up against a Lockheed Martin F-35C. The Marine Corps is mostly buying F-35Bs, which can take off and land vertically, but will have four squadrons of the C variant, which can take off and land on an aircraft carrier.
“It’s probably going to end up validating the need for a fifth generation fighter in the fleet,” Davis said at a Defense Writers Group breakfast Wednesday.
While he stressed that he didn’t want to get ahead of the review, which has begun, he said there are some scenarios in which a Super Hornet would not be able to perform, but an F-35 would excel in because of its advanced capabilities.
Mattis ordered the review of the F-35 as well as a review of the acquisition of two new Air Force One planes to try to cut costs as much as possible, something that’s been a key priority for President Trump.
Davis commended the president for “putting pressure” on industry to build these aircraft for less money.
The Marine Corps forward deployed its first F-35Bs to Japan this year. Davis said six more planes will be heading there in July.
