[DesScorp]

"Yes it is, but the Marines don't want a fighter per se, they want an attack aircraft to support the Marines on ground. Air Superiority is a Navy and Air Force job."

More specifically, their job is Close Air Support... which is why the JSF is such a stupid buy for the Marines. It's a $100+ million apiece stealth strike aircraft. It's just a further expensive expansion of the Marines into areas outside their core mission. What they really need is something like new-build OV-10 Broncos strapped with hellfires and rocket pods.

[Right Winged American]

More specifically, their job is Close Air Support... which is why the JSF is such a stupid buy for the Marines. It's a $100+ million apiece stealth strike aircraft. It's just a further expensive expansion of the Marines into areas outside their core mission. What they really need is something like new-build OV-10 Broncos strapped with hellfires and rocket pods.

Or, better yet, a navalized version of the A-10.

Now, THERE's a thought! Can't you just imagine what that'd look like!?! "Go Ugly" could take on a whole new meaning with Marines driving...

Naah, no telling what kind of complete disaster the procurement process would make of that. I mean, look what they did with the A-12.

Sheesh.

[El Gato]

What they really need is something like new-build OV-10 Broncos strapped with hellfires and rocket pods.

Or A-10s. I'd bet with minimal mods, the A-10 would be carrier capable. Wing folding might a problem, but maybe not too. It uses the same engines as the S-3. But they'd have add a probe for aerial refueling, since the Navy doesn't do booms, which the A-10 is equipped for. But many aircraft have had that modification when sold to foreign customers. Some have gone the other way when taken into USAF service from a Navy design. Like the F-4.

Unfortunately neither the OV-10 or A-10 is STOVL capable.