well said!!!!

Dj we normally agree but I have to question u here.
Prompt global strike implies they want speed, and speed and loitering don’t
Normally mix well. Are we discussing 2 Differnt programs?

Doesn’t the navy have plenty of legacy hornets ans super hornets laying around to cover for the marines packing up and leaving? You cant treat the marines like DOgs for years and then exspect them to still cooperate. Or did we all forget about the failure to put ships to sea that can provide fire support? The moth balling of battle ships even after a congressional mandate. The many other stabs in the eye that the navy has taken at the marines?

I remember a Marine commander saying that ” I’m not going to use my harriers on the 1st day of the war, Im saving them for my marines” i cant remember if it was Bosnia or Iraq. But the message was clear then. The marines wouldn’t send there fighters to get down and dirty 1st, only to lose some. The future marine deployment was more important to him than the entire TACAIR picture.
Does this signal a turn away from that policy? will marines do 1st day strikes now? or save F-35s for marine CAS?

Has anyone though of this:

Build a V-22 with a removable center section totally doing away with the back loading door. The section would fit certain mission modules for different roles.

* ASW module with sonabouys or a sonar dipper. maybe 2 hard point for small helo sized tortedos*

*A module that fits the a APG77 varient with 2 side looking lobes for an awacs role.*

* Build a module with either hard points for 500 pounders or a minigun for low intensity troop support.*

* And finally a module that carries buddy bags*

Am I insane?