The Marines immediately launched a new effort to replace the AAVs, under the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program, which was to use available technology to provide a slower and far less costly assault vehicle in about five years.

But the results of an analysis of alternatives that was to show the way ahead for the ACV have been held up, apparently because of uncertainty over the extent of future defense budget cuts.

A related program, the Marine Personnel Carrier, which would provide improved ground transport for a Marine squad with light armor protection, also has been held up due to the budget questions.

Meanwhile, the AAV7s are receiving a second round of upgrades and service life extension efforts to keep them operational until a replacement can be fielded.

The LCAC hovercraft, which can carry heavy equipment and vehicles including the M1 Abrams tank to the shore at more than 40 knots and ride up onto the beach to offload, are receiving service life extension work to keep them going until their replacements arrive. A contract to begin building the replacement, called the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC), was awarded July 6 to Textron Inc., which built many of the LCACs.

The SSC will look much like the LCAC and have the same dimensions to fit within the gators’ well decks. But it will carry heavier loads, go farther, and require much less maintenance, according to the contract.

The amphibious assault’s airlift element has been doing better, with the MV-22s steadily replacing the badly aged CH-46 Sea Knights, affectionately called “Phrogs.” After a prolonged and troubled development, the Bell Boeing-produced Ospreys are in multiyear production and are halfway through the planned buy of 360. They have proven themselves on multiple combat deployments in Afghanistan and aboard ship.

The heavy-lift rotary-wing asset, the CH-53E Super Stallions, are still in good condition. But a replacement, the CH-53K, is in development and promises to provide nearly twice the lift and better range and speed. The first ground-test Kilo is about to roll out of the Sikorsky factory and the first flight test bird should come out next year. Initial operational capability is planned for 2019.

The Marines also are rapidly replacing their old UH-1N “Huey” utility helicopters and AH-1W Cobra attack choppers with the more powerful and faster UH-1Ys and AH-1Zs. Both aircraft, which have bigger jet engines and four-bladed rotors, have made deployments with MEUs or into Afghanistan.

The new Hueys serve primarily as command and control platforms, but with the Yankees’ greater lift capability also can transport small loads of cargo or troops. And they can be armed to provide limited air support for ground troops and for self-protection.

The new Zulu Super Cobras not only fly faster and farther and can carry more weapons than the current Cobras, they also have greatly improved technology to find and hit ground targets.

But the future of Marine Corps tactical air capability depends on procurement of the new F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. The “B” model of the multiservice F-35 will be the first aircraft with short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) capability, supersonic speed, and all-aspect stealth. The Marines are counting on it to replace their current STOVL fighter, the AV-8B Harrier, as well as the F/A-18 Hornet strike fighters and the EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare jets.

The entire F-35 program has been troubled by technology challenges, repeated program delays, and soaring costs, making it a prime target for defense critics and for budget deficit hawks. The B, which is the most complex of the three variants, has been particularly troubled and faced a threat of termination before Lockheed Martin started showing rapid improvements in the test program and in production quality.

Eight F-35Bs have been delivered to the multiservice training wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and training of the first class of instructor pilots is accelerating after earlier delays.

The Marines had expected to stand up their first F-35B squadron at Yuma, Ariz., this November. But the training delay and a budget-driven slowdown in production of all three F-35 types has made that unlikely.

Despite the extensive outside criticism and tightening defense budgets, the requirements of the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, plus nearly a dozen allied nations for this advanced fighter should ensure the program will continue.

This article was first published in Marine Corps Outlook: 2012-2013 Edition.