Aircraft
F-35 Looks to the Future
New weapons and more computing power are set to expand the F-45's operational repertoire
VMFA-314 ‘Black Knights’ has become the first U.S. Marine Corps squadron to fly the carrier-capable F-35C. It’s the second front-line unit to begin the conversion, following the U.S. Navy’s VFA-147 ‘Argonauts’ through the schoolhouse at California’s NAS Lemoore. When declared ‘safe for flight,’ the unit and its aircraft will relocate back to MCAS Miramar, near San Diego.
VMFA-314 ‘Black Knights’ has become the first U.S. Marine Corps squadron to fly the carrier-capable F-35C. It’s the second front-line unit to begin the conversion, following the U.S. Navy’s VFA-147 ‘Argonauts’ through the schoolhouse at California’s NAS Lemoore. When declared ‘safe for flight,’ the unit and its aircraft will relocate back to MCAS Miramar, near San Diego.

With more than 400 delivered to Israel, the U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marine Corps, the Lockheed Martin F-35 is now proving its worth in the operational environment, especially as its data-gathering and networking abilities transform tactical operations. That’s the message from Lockheed Martin and its customers as the F-35 production effort continues to accelerate and flyaway costs tumble.


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