Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[Suhiir]

Fastboat,

My current understanding is the USMC wants to completely transition to the F-35 ASAP for the sake of simplifying their logistic requirements. The F-35B will replace all Harrier squadrons and some F/A-18 ones. They'll acquire a limited number of F-35Cs mostly due to their larger internal ordnance capacity and the fact that the USN plans to use more F-35Cs then Bs for the same reason (internal "stealth" ordnance capacity) and the pilot exchange between USN/USMC means many USN squadrons have a USMC pilot and most USMC one have a USN one so the USMC needs pilots familiar with the F-35C. Additionally one of the squadrons aboard one of the currently deployed carriers is frequently a USMC squadron.

The USN plans to keep, and upgrade, some of their F/A-18Es/Fs as they're a better air superiority platform then the F-35, and having an intact carrier to land on is kind of important. The USMC isn't really concerned with seizing air superiority only maintaining it (it's expected the USAF/USN will achieve it before they go ashore, because without it they can't). The USMC Air Wings exist solely to provide ground support and necessary escort/EW/refueling/ect. functions.

As to the E/A-18G Growler and EF-35C Ferret it doesn't make sense for the USMC to maintain 3x F-18 squadrons when the rest have transitioned to F-35s. And it wouldn't be the first time the USN "allowed" the USMC to work the bugs out of an aircraft before the USN adopts it. So while it may (or may not) take longer to get the F-35G operational then the F-35C they'll be USN/USMC only as far as I know because the USAF plans to use only the F-35A.

OF COURSE all this is plans and programs until NAVAIR speaks, and plans may change for any number of reasons (practical and political).

You'll note from your references there are no plans to certify the USMCs F/A-18Cs/Ds with the SDB, no real reason to as they'll be replaced ASAP. Also the USMC has not budgeted any $ for upgrading their current F/A-18Cs/Ds.