USMC Concepts & Programs 2013 - Defense Innovation Marketplace

chapter 3: programs
Aviation Strategy for the 21st Century
Across the spectrum of military operations Marine fixed and rotarywing
aircraft shape the battlespace, often in direct support of Marines on the
ground. The MAGTF air-ground combined-arms team has proven unequalled
in answering the Nation’s call across the spectrum of operations, from humanitarian
assistance to delivering ordnance on target during crisis and conflict.
Today, the priority is to replace legacy aircraft, some of which have
been flying since the Vietnam War, with far more capable aircraft. The Marine
Corps challenge is to remain engaged operationally, sustaining the force
while executing a transition strategy for the future. In that regard, the FY 2013
Marine Aviation Plan is a phased plan with a ten year and beyond horizon
that incorporates force structure changes while balancing active-duty and
reserve components of the total force. Our numerous transition task forces
are critical enablers; leading the way as we transition from legacy aircraft to
new platforms.
The Marine Corps transition strategy can be separated into two mutually
supportive, challenging efforts: sustain the legacy fleet and transition to
new aircraft. The Aviation Plan is our roadmap for navigating through these
challenges, to ensure our continued capability to carry out all six functions
of Marine Aviation: (1) assault support; (2) anti-aircraft warfare; (3) offensive
air support; (4) electronic warfare; (5) control of aircraft and missiles;
and (6) aerial reconnaissance. This “living” document outlines the Marine
Corps multiyear transition plan to a dramatically changed fleet, and provides
details for:
• Legacy aircraft modernization and sustainment
• Marine Aviation Command and Control System (MACCS)
modernization and sustainment
• Aviation Ground Support (AGS) systems sustainment
• F-35B and F-35C Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) transition
• MV-22B Osprey transition
• H-1 upgrades program (UH-1Y and AH-1Z)
• KC-130J transition and Harvest HAWK system introduction
• CH-53K program and heavy lift requirements
• Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) programs and upgrades
• Operational support aircraft sustainment and upgrades
• Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S)
• AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR)
• Composite Tracking Network (CTN)
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