U.S. Marine Corps to Field 261 F-35B/C Stealth Fighter Jets by End of 2026.

The U.S. Marine Corps will operate 205 F-35B and 56 F-35C Lightning II aircraft by the end of 2026, according to its newly released 2026 aviation plan. The expansion cements the F-35 as the backbone of Marine tactical aviation and a central pillar of future expeditionary combat power.

According to the U.S. Marine Corps 2026 aviation plan, released in February 2026, the service will have received 205 F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variants and 56 carrier-capable F-35C stealth fighter jets by the end of this year, bringing the total fleet to 261 aircraft. These jets support 14 operational fleet squadrons, developmental and operational test units, two F-35B Fleet Replacement Squadrons on the East and West Coasts, and an F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron detachment. The document underscores an accelerated shift toward fifth-generation airpower, positioning the F-35 as the central element of U.S. Marine Corps tactical aviation modernization and expeditionary warfare strategy.
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U.S. Marine Corps F-35B and F-35C Lightning II aircraft illustrate the service’s expanding fifth generation fleet, which will reach 205 F-35Bs and 56 F-35Cs by the end of 2026 under the 2026 Aviation Plan and TACAIR Transition Plan.  (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

The U.S. Marine Corps aviation plan 2026 reiterates that the Program of Record remains unchanged at 420 aircraft, comprising 280 F-35B and 140 F-35C variants. This procurement structure supports the long-term objective of 12 F-35B and 8 F-35C squadrons. Currently, all U.S. Marine Corps F-35 fleet squadrons are organized as 10 Primary Aircraft Available, prepared to deploy as a complete squadron in support of a Marine Expeditionary Unit or as part of a U.S. Navy Carrier Air Wing.

Following a detailed force structure analysis conducted in February 2024, the U.S. Marine Corps approved a plan to increase all fleet F-35 squadrons to 12 Primary Aircraft Available by fiscal year 2035. That expansion is now fully reflected in the TACAIR (tactical aircraft) Transition Plan, which governs the service’s shift from legacy F/A-18 Hornets to an all fifth-generation strike fighter inventory. Implementation will begin with workforce changes in fiscal year 2028, and aircraft increases starting in fiscal year 2030.

To support the increase to 12 aircraft per squadron, each unit will undergo a workforce realignment to address gaps in key Military Occupational Specialties within the Maintenance Department. Squadron structure will grow by two additional pilots and 25 Marines assigned to maintenance functions, with a heavy focus on corrosion control. The emphasis on corrosion control reflects the U.S. Marine Corps's maritime operating environment, particularly aboard amphibious assault ships, where saltwater exposure directly affects aircraft readiness. Marine aviation leadership emphasizes that maintaining appropriate manning levels is critical to sustaining operational tempo under the TACAIR Transition Plan.

The F-35B and F-35C perform distinct but complementary missions within the U.S. Marine Corps aviation. The F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variant is designed for expeditionary warfare. Its shaft-driven lift fan system allows it to launch from short ship decks and austere forward bases and land vertically, making it uniquely suited for operations from America-class and Wasp-class amphibious assault ships. This capability enables the Marine Air-Ground Task Force to project stealth airpower without relying on large aircraft carriers, reinforcing the U.S. Marine Corps' expeditionary doctrine.

The F-35C, in contrast, is optimized for carrier operations within U.S. Navy Carrier Air Wings. Featuring larger wings for increased range and fuel capacity, strengthened landing gear, and an arresting hook for carrier recoveries, the F-35C extends the operational reach of the U.S. Marine Corps in maritime strike and fleet air defense roles. Through Tactical Aircraft Integration, Marine F-35C squadrons are embedded within Navy air wings to maximize Department of the Navy resources while preserving Marine Corps operational flexibility.

Both variants share the same fifth-generation sensor fusion suite, including the AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar, the Distributed Aperture System for 360-degree situational awareness, and advanced electronic warfare capabilities. Armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles as well as precision-guided air-to-surface munitions, the F-35B and F-35C provide multi-role capability across air superiority, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, and deep strike missions. The aviation plan emphasizes that the U.S. Marine Corps' survivability in highly contested environments positions it to counter the pacing threat and enable joint force operations globally.

Beginning with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the F-35 will assume responsibility for supporting all East Coast MEUs and Unit Deployment Program obligations once East Coast F/A-18 Hornets sunset in fiscal year 2028. This marks a decisive milestone in the TACAIR transition, as East Coast expeditionary deployments will rely exclusively on fifth-generation aircraft for fixed-wing combat operations.

The U.S. Marine Corps also reaffirms its commitment to Naval Integration and Tactical Aircraft Integration, which will continue throughout the TACAIR transition to the F-35. VMFA-314 remains integrated with Carrier Air Wing 9, demonstrating sustained Marine participation in carrier strike group operations. According to the aviation plan, the U.S. Marine Corps will continue to balance global tactical aircraft priorities with support for Carrier Air Wing deployments as it completes the transition to a fully fifth-generation force.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.