A Navy-Marine operating concept seems more like a hedge against Force Design changes rather than something emerging from that radical force change. Here come the [turning down the light and squinting] light carriers!
Marines supported by air power for island hopping in the Pacific:
As the U.S. military prepares for the possibility of a conflict in the Pacific, the Navy and Marine Corps are working on a new way to project airpower, and they’re calling it the Lightning Carrier.
The concept, which the Corps began testing in 2016, turns amphibious assault ships, like the Navy’s America-class USS America, which is both easy to remember and ultra patriotic in a “Team America” kind of way, into small, agile flat-top carriers bristling with F-35B Lightning II aircraft and about 1,800 Marines. With the F-35B vertical take-off and landing capability, they can fit up to 20 on the deck that can support Marines as they secure or defend remote outposts through the Pacific.
Notwithstanding the initial article, this concept seemingly predates Force Design. I discussed the uses for still-unnamed ship back in 2007. But I concede the "Lightning Carrier" terminology could be new and improved. Or refinements, of course.
Say, is this concept an admission that moving Marines around in Barges With Pretensions is a suicide mission?
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NOTE: Navy photo from the article.
