Marine Corps F-35B IOC is July of 2015 (objective) and December 2015 (threshold). IOC requires the first squadron to have 10 aircraft in the Block 2B configuration capable of executing CAS; limited offensive and defensive counter-air; air interdiction; air support escort; armed reconnaissance; and limited suppression of enemy air defenses. Additionally, 6 aircraft need to be capable of executing amphibious carrier operations. The aircraft is currently tracking to reach its full operational capability in Q4 of CY 2017. The full transition from legacy to F-35 will complete with the transition of the second reserve squadron in 2032. The transition got underway on 2 April 2010 with the stand up of VMFAT-501, the first Marine Corps JSF STOVL training squadron. On 16 November 2012, VMFA-121 stood up as the first Marine Corps operational JSF STOVL squadron.
The F-35B IOC is defined as:
•One squadron of 10 F-35B aircraft with required spares, support equipment, tools, technical publications, and a functional Autonomic Logistic information system (ALIS V2) including enabling peripherals.
•Squadron will be manned with trained and certified personnel capable of conducting autonomous operations.
•Aircraft in a Block 2B software configuration with the requisite performance envelope, mission systems, sensors, and weapon clearances.
•Home base supporting infrastructure and facilities ready and capable of supporting and sustaining operations.
•Qualifications, certifications, and L-class amphibious carrier alterations completed to enable F-35B operations.
F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER
•Qualifications and certifications for deploying the F-35B to austere expeditionary sites.
•Ability to execute CAS; limited offensive and defensive counter-air; air interdiction; air support escort; armed reconnaissance; and limited suppression of enemy air defenses missions in concert with Marine Air Ground Task Force resources and capabilities within the performance envelope, mission systems, sensors, and weapons clearances provided by the 2B fleet release.
•Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE), Joint Program Office (JPO) and contractor procedures, processes, and infrastructure capable of sustaining operations of the IOC squadron
The
TACAIR 2030 Roadmap is a departure from the previous AVPLAN’s TACAIR
transition order. The F-35 transition continues per the program of record, while the AV-8B and F/A-18 order of transition has changed.
* AV-8B will transition to the F-35B first, with a planned sunset of 2025.
* F/A-18A-D will transition in the out years with a planned sunset of 2029 for the active component and 2030 for the reserve component.
The TACAIR transition will retain flexibility with regards to VMA/VMFA transition order based on F-35 program progress and legacy readiness.
Life remaining on F/A-18A-D allows prioritization of legacy STOVL conversion to 5th Generation STOVL capability while utilizing F/A-18A-D as the final bridging platform to complete the TACAIR transition. Two independent cost-benefit analyses were conducted. Visibility and Management of Operating and Supporting Cost (VAMOSC) analysis estimated changing transition order would result in cost avoidance of over one billion dollars through 2030.
The AVPLAN now prioritizes F-35B sourcing to MAGTF (MEUs) in the PACOM AOR with the first VMA transition (VMA-211) planned to begin FY16. The pace of the AV-8B conversion has been accelerated and F-35B will source 31st MEU requirement beginning 3QFY17.
All West Coast MEUs will be sourced with F-35B by end of FY19. The sequence of AV-8B transition to F-35 prioritizes MAG-13 in 3d MAW enabled by timely F-35 MilCon and Navy L-Class amphibious carrier modifications
