Armed Forces News

The Marine Corps would gain additional funding in 2020 for aviation and ground combat programs, under the Trump administration’s proposed $45.9 billion funding request. Seapower magazine reported March 15 that the service would buy more F-35B fighters, CH-53K helicopters and Amphibious Combat Vehicles, along with more Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. The request also includes funding for the Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar, HIMARS rocket artillery systems, and development of methods to combat attacks by unmanned aerial systems, Seapower reported. The service would see an increase of 100 Marines in 2020, to 186,200 active-duty and 38,500 reserve members.