{"id":47250,"date":"2020-04-01T21:06:46","date_gmt":"2020-04-01T21:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/04\/01\/top-marine-signaling-to-industry-that-f-35-cuts-are-on-the-table\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:40:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:40:29","slug":"top-marine-signaling-to-industry-that-f-35-cuts-are-on-the-table","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/home\/2020\/04\/01\/top-marine-signaling-to-industry-that-f-35-cuts-are-on-the-table\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Marine \u2018signaling\u2019 to industry that F-35 cuts are on the table"},"content":{"rendered":"
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U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Berger explains what he wants to cut from the service to make it leaner and more prepared for the next war.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The top officer in the U.S. Marine Corps<\/a> is sticking to the planned procurement of the F-35 joint strike fighter \u2014 but indicated a willingness to cut planes in the future if analysis says it makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger told reporters Wednesday that he is a firm believer in the capabilities the F-35 is bringing, in particular the jump-jet B model<\/a> favored by the service. However, Berger made it clear he\u2019s not wedded to long-term procurement plans, at a time the corps is shedding legacy missions<\/a> as it pivots to focus to a primarily naval-focused service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRight now, the program of record plows ahead as it is,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I\u2019m signaling to the industry, we have to be prepared to adjust as the operating environment adjusts. Right now, the program of record stays the same, but we will \u2014 we must \u2014 adapt to the adversary and we must adapt to the operating environment<\/a> that we\u2019re challenged with being in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t