The Marine Corps would accelerate the Navy's procurement of F-35B Joint Strike Fighters and CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters if the military budget is increased, according to top service officials. Gen. Glenn Walters, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, told congressional authorizers last week that reduced procurement rates of platforms like the F-35 and CH-53K have forced the service to operate legacy aircraft beyond their planned service lives. He argued the Marine Corps' aviation modernization plan requires acceleration, pointing out that...
