Originally Posted by
BDGERJMN
So what you're reallly saying is the USMC is purposely making themselves a less combat ready or effective fighting force for the sake of proving a point, and a questionable one at that?
I think it's a reasonable assertion that without a significant unique capability (ie maritime expeditionary) the corps days might be numbered, at least as we know it.
I don't think a VSTOL fighter is a make-or-break feature of a MEU, but it does have some utility. Also it looks cool as hell in action, so I do suspect there is some pride/ego action going on too.
Things are not looking good for the F-35B, so if you think the image (and possibly future) of the corps is enhanced by a VSTOL, extra AV8-Bs probably make sense. If you wait for the F-35b to canx, that money is going to be GONE.