Tripoli starts LAC concept
In addition to the Scramble Magazine newsitem on the Lightning Aircraft Carrier (LAC) concept, the US Marine Corps started loading a record of sixteen F-35B Lightning IIs aboard the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) on 3 April 2022.
According to the USMC, this number of Lightning IIs could grow to eighteen or twenty this week. The week-long Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13 training event with the USS Tripoli is the start of identifying and building capabilities for the big deck and its crew and for USMC and their jets to conduct integrated MAG-level operations at sea.
Like its smaller, by-name predecessor, a former helicopter assault carrier, the America-class Tripoli lacks a well deck but is designed to conduct and support USMC air operations.
The ship has larger fuel storage and more weapons magazines than the existing LHD class of big-deck amphibious ships, as well as advanced command, control and communications systems.
As earlier reported, the fighters belong to Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1 Mihi Cura Futuri ('MV-5x'), Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 Wake Island Avengers ('CF-xx') and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225 Vikings ('CE-xx') all from Yuma MCAS (AZ).
Photo by US Navy