Groundbreaking for a hangar at Miramar to support the Marines’ new F-35 fighters is planned Friday as the service prepares for the stealthy planes’ San Diego arrival in 2020.
This project will enable 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing to replace the venerable F/A-18 Hornet with the new 5th generation fighters.
The F-35 –dubbed the Lightning II after the famous World War II fighter — will replace the AV-8B Harrier and EA-6B Prowler as well.
The single-seat, single-engine fighter is designed to evade enemy radar and is supported by the most sophisticated computer system every deployed on a warplane.
The F-35 is being built in versions for the Marines, Navy and Air Force in the largest defense project in history.
