U.S. Navy Debates STOVL JSF Futu

wrote:
I wonder if Navy's expeditionary (land-based) squadrons would use
F-35C, or also be equipped with F-35B? It seems there is more inter-
service rivalry in this argument than actual reasoning.

However, I guess USAF F-117A pilots in Desert Storm would not tell
that internally-carried 2,000-pound BLU-109 or GBU had been obsolete
for them, especially in the first days of the war. Then, in such
situations, again Marine guys in their STOVL F-35Bs would have to rely
on their Navy F-35C or F/A-18E/F/EA-18G counterparts as far as deep
interdiction and SEAD are concerned.

The Super Hornet carries exactly as many 2,000 bombs internally as the
F-35B, zero. So it offers no advantage in this area.

Easy prediction: More F-35B delays and the Marines are forced to equip a
few carrier based squadrons with Super Hornets on a temporary basis that
then extends out over a decade.

-HJC