Originally posted by neo_hermes

I rather like the Marine's New F-35B
Something I can actually comment on.
Ok, before I learned I was going to be a dad I spent 2 years in the Marines PLC program with an Air contract. I was a friggen killing machine and as soon as I finish college (soon) I was going to be sent off to TBS and then flight school. Too bad.

The Marines currently use the Harrier, and plan on upgrading to the F-35B. The F-35B does everything the Harrier does, but better. It has virtical take of and landing, some stealth, and has enough fuel to last more then 30 mins in the air (when the straight up and down landing is in use). The Marines like these planes because they can park them just about anywhere. No need for a runway.
About the SU-27 (Right number?) is sick. I have a video of it (on Janes ATF GOLD) doing a black flip. Not a lazy black flip where you go up first but a keep-you-current-speed-and-keep-going-foward-black-flip. Truely amazing. It also does the flip-right-over-(180)-and-start-going-the-other-way-with-no-stall-trick.
Originally posted by Nico
US marine pilots are pussies, they need longer runways on their carriers to be able to land
VTOL -
Vertical take off and landings. The Marines use smaller Navy ships to haul them around. (Well the Marine F-18 is used on the carriers...) Look up the USS Wasp.