The U.S. Marine Corps has reshaped its aviation strategy with the release of the Marine Corps Aviation Plan 2025. The new plan focuses on autonomous systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and artificial intelligence-enabled software to increase fleet survivability in combat zones. The strategy encourages the effective use of technology in future combat environments.
Project Eagle: The Marine Corps' Modernization Drive
The basis of the plan “Project Eagle” (Eagle Project) is a modernization strategy that aims to increase the Marine Corps' aviation power and adopt technological innovations. Colonel Derek Brannon of the Marine Corps Aviation Headquarters emphasizes that with this project, the troops will have a flexible, ready and resilient aviation power.
Project Eagle, distributed aviation operations ve decision-oriented aviation operations It includes concepts such as. Distributed operations involve the spreading of aviation units across the battlefield and the shifting of command authority to lower levels to make enemy threats more difficult. Decision-oriented operations aim to make fast and effective decisions with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Changes to Marine Corps F-35 Plan
New aviation plan, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter also foresees changes in the procurement process. The U.S. Marine Corps is planning to develop more carrier-based F-35C When purchasing the model, you should consider short take-off and vertical landing capabilities. F-35B number of F-35s to be purchased. However, the total number of F-XNUMXs to be purchased 420 will remain constant.
In the 2022 plan 353 F-35Bs and 67 F-35Cs While this number is included in the new plan, 280 F-35Bs and 140 F-35Cs was revised as. Thus, the number of F-35Cs was more than doubled.
The Marine Corps also plans to transfer four fighter squadrons (VMFA-232, VMFA-323, VMFA-112 and VMFA-134) to F-35C squadrons. As a result, the Marine Corps squadron 12 F-35B squadrons and 8 F-35C squadrons will be found.
UAV and Manned-Unmanned Teamwork
The plan also emphasizes the role of unmanned aerial vehicles in the future warfare environment. Manned-unmanned teamwork The concept involves pairing crewed aircraft with autonomous UAVs. The biggest advantage of this system will be to keep human pilots safer in risky operations and increase the efficiency of missions.
Marines, Expects to receive 2025 F-183Bs and 35 F-52Cs by the end of 35At the same time, the research and development process of autonomous drone systems that will work with F-35s will be accelerated.
Innovative Approaches to Sustainability and Maintenance
The new plan not only increases combat capabilities, but also aviation sustainability Stating that traditional maintenance and logistics systems are no longer sufficient, the Marine Corps aims to take the following steps to increase the operational time of the aircraft:
- Making support equipment more efficient, safe and effective,
- Modernization of education systems,
- Digital modeling and additive manufacturing Strengthening the supply chain with advanced technologies such as,
- Application of innovation and experimental approaches in aviation maintenance systems.
US Marines 2025 Aviation Plan, includes major changes to adapt to the modern warfighting environment. Increased use of artificial intelligence and unmanned systems will increase operational flexibility, while the strategic transition to the F-35C aims to strengthen carrier capabilities. At the same time, improvements to sustainability and logistics systems will increase the Marine Corps’ long-term combat capability.
