US Marine Corps Air Force Base Cherry Point has finally received the first F-35B Lightning II short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft. Fifth generation fighter jets arrived at the deployment site this week.
What is known
In honor of the arrival of the first two aircraft, the airbase management held a special ceremony. In the future, six squadrons of fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II fighters will be formed at Cherry Point.
The aircraft has a set of sensors to maintain a high level of situational awareness in combat space. This was stated by Colonel J. T. Bardo (JT Bardo). He also called the F-35B the most advanced fighter in service with the US Marine Corps.
The F-35Bs will replace the Harriers, which have been based at Cherry Point for about half a century. Colonel Brendan Burks said that the delivery of the first fighters had to wait 15 years. He emphasized that the aircraft will expand aviation on the east coast and ensure economic growth in the region by $2.19 billion.
Lockheed Martin and the US Department of Defense are expected to send 60 fifth-generation fighters to Cherry Point. However, ladle Brendan Burks does not exclude that the number of F-35Bs will increase to 96 units.
Source: wcti12
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