As the U.S. Marine Corps advances toward an all fifth-generation fighter fleet, a critical imbalance is coming into sharp focus: cutting-edge jets are still flying with outdated, 1980s-era weapons systems.

Leaders within Marine Corps aviation are urgently calling for modernization of munitions and operational capabilities to fully unlock the potential of their growing fleet of F-35B and F-35C aircraft.

Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering, deputy commandant for aviation, and Col. Derek Brannon, director of the Cunningham Group, voiced these concerns at the Modern Day Marine military exposition in Washington, D.C., emphasizing both the promise of new technology and the present limitations it faces.

“We are killers, at the root, we are Marines,” Brannon said, highlighting the Corps’ fundamental mission while underlining the urgency of equipping its fighters with weapons systems that match their advanced platforms.

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The Weapons Lag

Despite the high-performance capabilities of the F-35 Lightning II, which boasts stealth technology, sensor fusion, and advanced maneuverability, the jets remain equipped with legacy weapons from the Cold War era.

This mismatch risks undercutting the combat effectiveness of the aircraft and, by extension, the Marines’ broader airpower strategy.

To address this, Gering and Brannon are seeking deeper collaboration with defense industry partners.

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They’re looking for innovations that will upgrade munitions and integrate more modern, data-driven decision tools into operations.

“The modernization of the jet is one thing, but what it carries, and how it uses that capability in a fast-moving, dispersed environment—that’s what needs to evolve,” Gering said.

Distributed Aviation Operations and AI Integration

One of the Corps’ major doctrinal shifts centers on distributed aviation operations—a strategy aimed at dispersing aircraft and resources to reduce vulnerability and increase agility in future conflicts.

This approach was recently tested in a large-scale exercise on the West Coast that engaged multiple Marine units in a simulated distributed air operation.

These exercises revealed significant gaps and opportunities.

Among the critical needs identified: more virtual and live training options, improvements in communications infrastructure, better power generation strategies, and enhanced tactics around camouflage, cover, and concealment.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning will be central to these adaptations.

“We’re pursuing those really hard right now because it’s all about data,” Gering explained. He pointed to predictive maintenance as one promising use case.

By using AI models to analyze aircraft health, Marines can forecast component failures, pre-position parts, and streamline logistics—ultimately making units more agile and less reliant on large support tails.

“What you can do then is make decisions with that aircraft,” Gering said, referring to AI-enabled platforms that help determine when and where a jet can fly, what supplies are truly necessary, and how to minimize logistical footprints.

“By understanding the full picture of maintenance and supplies, units can know what to pack and potentially take less, leaving a smaller footprint,” he added.

Force Structure Shifts

In parallel to these technological shifts, the Marine Corps is also reshaping its force structure. Currently, 11 squadrons—two for training and nine operational—fly the F-35.

Over the next five years, that number will grow by seven more active-duty squadrons, supported by two Marine Reserve squadrons.

Once this expansion is complete, the Marine Corps will field 18 active squadrons: 12 flying the F-35B, which features short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, and six flying the F-35C, designed for aircraft carrier operations.

The two Reserve squadrons will operate the C variant as well.

Meanwhile, the Corps is phasing out its legacy fighters. “The AV-8 Harrier jet will sunset this year,” Brannon confirmed. “The F/A-18 Hornet will sunset in the next five years.”

This transition represents a complete shift to fifth-generation platforms by the end of the decade.

In addition to fighters, the Marines plan to complete procurement of 95 KC-130J cargo planes within five years.

These aircraft serve as vital aerial refueling and transport assets in support of distributed operations.

Looking Ahead

The future of Marine Corps aviation hinges not just on sleek new aircraft, but on their integration into a holistic, tech-enabled warfighting strategy.

With evolving threats and potential conflicts on the horizon, leaders like Gering and Brannon are making it clear that modernization must extend beyond airframes.

By adopting artificial intelligence, streamlining logistics, and upgrading weapons systems, the Corps aims to stay lethal and adaptable in the complex, data-driven battlespaces of the future.

“Our goal,” Gering said, “is not just to field the best aircraft—but to make sure we use them in ways that give us an overwhelming advantage, wherever we fight next.”

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