Military aviation: Marines push for F-35 transition by 2030 as Air Force tests blended-wing jet for 2027

The US Marines Corps is continuing its replacement of F/A-18s with F-35s while the Air Force hones its radical new airframe, both transformational, mission-critical aviation projects.

The Marines are committed to replacing the aging F/A-18 Hornets with F-35 fighters by 2030, despite delays in F-35 deliveries caused by technology development issues, as noted by Defense One. Lockheed received the go-ahead to resume deliveries of the fighter in July 2024 without Technology Refresh-3, which enhances computing power, avionics, and overall capabilities.

Marine Aircraft Group 11 at MCAS Miramar is leading this transition, with infrastructure updates such as new hangars and personnel training already underway. The service aims to procure 420 F-35s (not an Elon Musk joke), gradually increasing squadron sizes to 12 from 10 jets post-transition. Until then, the Marines are maximizing their Hornets’ capabilities with new AESA radars and communication upgrades, enhancing situational awareness, target detection, and tracking capabilities, significantly improving operational performance in complex combat environments.

Meanwhile, Air & Space Forces Magazine notes the Air Force is progressing with its blended-wing body jet, a potentially game-changing platform to improve fuel efficiency by 30 percent. Testing of the subscale “Pathfinder” model has refined flight control software, paving the way for the full-scale jet’s first flight in 2027. While not directly tied to the Next-Generation Air Refueling System, the BWB concept is expected to influence future airlift, tanker, and bomber designs, supporting logistics in vast areas including the Indo-Pacific.