US F-35Cs Complete First Known Combat Mission

USMC F-35Cs Complete First Known Combat Mission

The US Marine Corps (USMC) has announced that its F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters have completed their first known combat mission. On September 27, 2022, a pair of F-35Cs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 participated in a strike mission against ISIL targets in Syria. The F-35Cs conducted the mission from the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). This is the first known combat mission for the F-35C, which is the USMC’s variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The F-35C is a carrier-based variant of the F-35 and is designed to operate from the US Navy’s Nimitz-class and Ford-class aircraft carriers. The F-35C is equipped with a variety of weapons, including the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), and the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). The F-35C also has a variety of sensors, including the AN/APG-81 AESA radar and the AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare suite.

The F-35C’s First Combat Mission

The F-35Cs’ first combat mission was a success, and the aircraft performed well in its role as a strike fighter. The F-35Cs were able to successfully hit their targets and return to the USS Essex without incident. The mission was a major milestone for the USMC and the F-35C program, and it demonstrated the aircraft’s capabilities in a real-world combat environment. The F-35C is expected to play a major role in the USMC’s future operations, and it is expected to see more combat in the years to come.

The F-35C’s Capabilities

The F-35C is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft that is designed to be stealthy, agile, and powerful. The F-35C is equipped with a variety of sensors and weapons, which makes it a versatile aircraft that can be used for a variety of missions. The F-35C is also designed to be interoperable with other US and allied forces, which makes it a valuable asset in a joint operations environment. The F-35C is a major upgrade over the USMC’s previous fighter aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet, and it is expected to provide the USMC with a significant advantage in future conflicts.