The AV-8B Harrier is a Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing (V/STOL) aircraft designed to support the MAGTF commander by destroying surface targets and escorting friendly aircraft. The AV-8B’s lethality and V/STOL capability, combined with the Amphibious Ready Group’s (ARG) proximity to coastal targets, rapid turnaround time, and hot weapons reloading, make it uniquely suited for deployment on MEUs. The AV-8B is equipped with precision-guided standoff weapons, an advanced LITENING targeting pod, LINK-16 capabilities, and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, providing the Marine Corps with relevant, survivable, and fight-tonight capability.
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Today, the F/A-18 Hornet provides maritime strike and air interdiction capability to Combatant Commanders with its advanced array of sensors, air-to-air missiles, and precision air-to-surface strike weapons. The aggressive modernization program increases survivability and lethality against both air and surface threats to enable the Hornet to continue executing assigned mission essential tasks (METs). The Hornet program’s relevance and capacity remains a critical function of the Marine Corps’ TACAIR Transition Plan.
The F-35B/C provides afloat and expeditionary 5th Generation lethality to Combatant Commanders with an advanced array of sensors, air-to-air missiles, and air-to-surface strike weapons. The F-35B/C’s survivability in the most contested environments stands ready to counter the pacing threat. The F-35B/C is Marine Aviation’s critical capability that enables the MAGTF and Joint Force mission globally.
The KC-130J remains a critical enabler for forward deployed MAGTF success across all the Combatant Commands. Continuously deployed since 2005, VMGR detachments are supporting Crisis Response-Africa, operations in Europe, the Middle East, and South America. Additional KC-130J capacity has been added with the activation of VMGR-153 aboard MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii in FY23. This will increase MAGTF mobility and grow logistical capacity throughout the Indo-Pacific.