F-35Cs embark on maiden operational deployment
USS Abraham Lincoln, pictured on 3 January leaving San Diego. (Photo: USN/MC1 Robert S Price)
The USMC is deploying F-35C Lightning II aircraft operationally for the first time in a USN carrier strike group (CSG) that departed from San Diego on 3 January for a scheduled deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
F-35Cs from VMFA-314 (part of Carrier Air Wing 9) are aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. VMFA-314 declared FOC in July 2021.
In addition, USN CMV-22B Osprey tiltrotors from the VRM-30 fleet logistics squadron will also deploy for the first time.
The CSG also comprises the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald, USS Gridley, USS Sampson and USS Spruance.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
India set to sign Rafale-M deal
New Delhi gears up to sign Navy Rafale deal as talks swirl around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
-
Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss
The investment in technologies developed for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft bid will now be applied to its F-35 and F-22 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet.
-
USSOCOM outlines acquisition priorities for FY2026
The service is seeking all-domain autonomous and counter-robotic solutions as well as deep sensing and assured access technologies.
-
Why SCAF and GCAP should seek common ground
Can international industrial collaboration to develop common technologies applicable to different future aircraft programmes – like GCAP or SCAF – prevail in the face of politics?
-
USAF evaluates potential E-7A upgrades
The US Air Force is assessing and identifying capability upgrades for the AEW&C aircraft, including the possible replacement of the E-7A’s MESA radar and electronic warfare self-protection system.
-
Italy boosts UAV fleet with Jump-20 procurement and ScanEagle additions
The Jump-20 uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) procurement will replace Italy’s RQ-7 Shadow UAS fleet.